SWINDON’s town centre was transformed into a spooky party zone on Sunday as thrill-seekers got into the Halloween spirit with dancing zombies and a deathly disco.

Hundreds flocked to the town’s family Halloween bash – ‘Swindon Town Centre Screams for Halloween’ – at MECA in Regent Circus.

Children dressed up in their scariest costumes for the petrifying party, hosted by inSwindon BID, as families descended on the venue ahead of the creepiest day of the year.

An enormous Tyrannosaurus Rex was led into the disco on a chain by a skeleton wearing a top hat and iconic film villains Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street, Tim Burton’s Betelgeuse and Michael Myers from the slasher movies made an appearance. Even a lookalike of lovable Hagrid from Harry Potter dropped in for photos.

Excited party-goers were treated to ghouls, ghosts, skeletons and spiders – and lots of blood and gore – during five hours of frightening festivities.

Costume-clad children made their own creepy designs at the arts and crafts stall, decorated with a ghoulish green jack-o’-lantern, and competed in a mummy-wrapping competition on stage.

Julie Scott’s dance academy and Swindon Dance also wowed audiences with their creepy mash-up performances.

Di Powell, inSwindon BID’s chief executive, said “It was fantastic to see so many families dress up in their scariest fancy dress.

“This was also a perfect opportunity to showcase The MECA as a key town centre event venue and the businesses to benefit from additional footfall throughout the town centre.

“A big thank you to everyone who came along and supported the event and we hope to see you back in the town centre soon.”

The organisation’s next event is the Fairy Tale Christmas Lights Switch-on taking place on Saturday, November 18.

For more information visit www.swindontowncentre.co.uk