THRILLS, chills and shocks await those who attend the Swindon Screams Halloween party this evening.

The event, billed as Swindon’s biggest Halloween party, is taking place at Grange Drive Community Hall between 7pm and 11.30pm.

The festivities will see iconic film villains such as Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees and the Predator, among others, providing the spooks with visitors asked to wear their best fancy dress costumes.

There will also also be a family disco, games and an opportunity for visitors to sit in a former electric chair, which has been shipped in from America.

Luke Kaye, who runs Skywalkers fancy dress shop, in Faringdon Road, has organised the party.

He said: “You hear more and more these days that parents are frightened of allowing their children to go trick or treating which I find quite sad.

“So, I wanted to put something together in a safe environment for all the family.

“The film characters look as if they’ve walked straight off the sets and I think everyone will be really impressed by the quality.

“I think the electric chair will get quite a lot of attention.

“I know it is a little gruesome but it is Halloween after all.”

The party aims to cater for families but there will also be a scare room, which is strictly adults-only, which challenges entrants to stay in there for three minutes without being spooked.

This is the first time Luke has organised a Halloween party of this size and the majority of the event’s 450 tickets have already been sold.

He said: “The preparations are going very well and the response from the public has been phenomenal. We have a limited number of tickets left and we’d like to welcome as many people as we can to the event.”

The evening is raising funds for the Goldenhar UK charity, which supports Swindon boy Morgan Sharpe, who suffers from Goldenhar Syndrome.

The event will also feature an auction with lots including day trips, pictures of iconic horror characters and cakes.

Luke said: “This is the first time we have put together an event like this and I want to make it an annual event along with putting on more events for the people of Swindon to enjoy.”

Tickets cost £8 for adults, £3 for children and a family ticket is available for £20. Call 07590 010800.