BOURNEMOUTH's first Film and Comic Con had people queuing round the BIC to meet their heroes from the world of TV, film and sport.

Thousands, many in fancy dress, turned out for the chance to meet Hordor, Darth Vader, two Doctors Who and Freddie from Nightmare on the Elm Street alongside sporting stars Frank Bruno, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Joe Calzaghe. 

IN PICTURES: Bournmemouth Film and Comic Con >>

Darth Vader, the Hulk, Hodor and two Doctors Who: who do you fancy seeing at ComicCon?

Jill Ubdegrove, marketing manager for Showmasters Ltd, who organised the event, said: "We've wanted to come down to Bournemouth for a number of years now as on social media we have seen that a lot of people wanted us here.

"The BIC is an ideal venue for this sort of thing and we are expecting 28,000 people across the weekend."

She said that the event has branched out into the mainstream with families attending and is a 'safe place for people to celebrate what they love.'

Dave Prowse, who played Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, said: "It has been phenomenal. It is one of the busiest events that I have been to, which says a lot considering that I go to a different place around the world every weekend. It's a wonderful event.

"The thing is it is so iconic. To be in the original Star Wars trilogy and to play the main character, to be the ultimate screen villain, Darth Vader, is a wonderful accolade to have."

Steve Wickenden, owner of a replica DeLorean from the film, Back to the Future, said: "It is the Universal Studios' 25th anniversary car and it is the only one signed by all the cast and crew.

"I do lots of events in Europe and everybody wants to be able to sit where Michael J Fox sat."

Marcus Wood from Ninth Circle, an online retailer of comic books, graphic novels and merchandise, based in Bournemouth, said: "It is great to see an event like this in Bournemouth for the first time.

"It has been a lot of fun. It is great to see so many people in attendance, with many telling us that they are visiting a convention for the first time."

The organisers of Film and Comic Con Bournemouth have confirmed that the event will return to the BIC on March 12 and 13, 2016.

The event continues until 6pm today.