MAD Hatter and the Queen of Hearts are just two of the characters from Alice in Wonderland who will be creating some storybook magic in the town centre next month.

Free entertainment and activities for all the family inspired by all things Alice will be on offer on Friday, June 3 and Saturday June 4 between 11am and 4pm to coincide with the launch of Tim Burton’s new film Alice Through the Looking Glass, which opens in cinemas at the end of this month.

Wharf Green will be transformed into a giant tea party zone with live music on the main stage,

children’s entertainment, competitions and prizes galore.

Giant games including croquet, chess, funfair rides and free face painting will be also be available and visitors will be able to take advantage of lunchtime offers from town centre eateries to enjoy in the family picnic area.

The Brunel Centre will have a display of giant Alice props for the all-important selfies, plus creative workshops with a Mad Hatter’s tea party theme and story-time readings in Waterstones. Marks & Spencer’s shop windows, on the upper floor of The Brunel Centre, will be displaying garments made by Swindon Academy’s students, all inspired by the Lewis Carroll story.

In The Parade Children will be rebuilding Humpty Dumpty from giant pieces of the egg-shaped character which will be hidden around the shops and there will also be free story telling and children’s games.

The fancy dress competition in Wharf Green is being sponsored by Skywalkers fancy dress shop in Faringdon Road, and Thamesdown Transport is offering free bus travel over the two days for anyone dressed in an Alice themed costume.

Jane Stewart, deputy general manager of The Brunel said: “I know this is going to be a really great event, there’s so much going on and I’m delighted that we’ve managed to involve so many community organisations too. We've worked with The Salvation Army who are having a pop-up Alice Themed bike shop in The Brunel Arcade, and Artsite, the volunteer artists’ organisation who will be displaying artwork created by them and service users from SWADS (Swindon Alcohol and Drugs Service) in Unit 15 of Brunel Arcade, next door to Sue Ryder.

Swindon's Stitch and Bitch group have been busy knitting a woollen tea party that’s going to be on display on the upper level of Brunel Plaza between Boots and M&S to raise money for Against Breast Cancer.

The event is the result of a partnership between The Brunel Centre, inSwindon BID, The Parade and Regent Circus.

Manager of inSwindon BID (Business Improvement District), Di Powell said: “This is an excellent example of what can be achieved with strong partnership working. Most people won’t realise that various areas of town centres are in fact owned and managed by several different organisations so, with differing budgets and priorities; it’s not always feasible for us all to work together. I’m really pleased that we have achieved an event for the whole of the town centre and I very much hope this model can be repeated in the future.”

The Town Centre’s cinema, Cineworld, is in Regent Circus and Centre Manager Steve Bizley said: “The first Alice film got excellent reviews and we’re expecting it to attract big audiences.” Both Regent Circus and The Parade shopping area will have walk about Alice characters. For full details of events visit: swindontowncentre.co.uk