Star Wars characters and Cybermen will be mingling with shoppers this weekend.

The spectacle caused a ripple of excitement when it was staged last year as part of a comic convention, which regularly attracts hundreds to Maidstone.

Demoncon 8 will be held at the Royal Star Arcade in the High Street on Sunday.

The last event of its kind brought some 600 people in to see sci fi and comic characters.

Organiser Graham Beadle of the Grinning Demon comic book shop in the arcade has arranged for Maidstone-based comic book legend Dan Abnett to attend along with other artists drawing requests including Lee Townsend and Clint Langley.

It will have a 2000AD theme, which is best known for Judge Dredd. There will also be stalls, demonstrations and guests, as well as the chance to buy comics.

Doors open at 11am, with tickets £6 on the door for adults and £4 for children.

The event is sponsored by Specsavers and all sponsorship goes to a Comics for Schools inititative, which is aimed at encouraging children to read more, by donating comic books to schools. The last beneficiaries were Roseacre Junior School and Silverbank Park (Inspire) and Wayfield Primary in Chatham.

There will be an after party with a licensed bar from 4pm. For more details visit www.thegrinningdemon.com