Three days of retro gaming, arcades, tournaments and cosplay has kicked off with PLAY at Margate’s Winter Gardens.

The expo has filled the hall with hundreds of games, consoles, characters and merchandise.

Among those enjoying the fun was David Simons and his 10-year-old son Edward from Birchington.

David said: “He is very much into gaming, he was better than me by the age of four! He picks these things up very quickly.

“We’re also glad to be here to support Margate, it’s definitely on the up.”

Edward was playing a Star Wars game on Xbox One.

He said: “It’s a really good game, I’m switching from being a stormtrooper to a Jedi.

“The day has been good, I like multiplayer games and racing games and there’s a lot here.”

Lilah, 8, and Ted Ainsworth, 5, were looking at the merchandise stalls with their dad Victor.

Lilah said: “Dad knows how to get good deals on the games!”

Event organiser Andy Brown said: “Margate has become the hub of gaming events with all aspects considered.

“PLAY is a family-based show with fun and interactive arcades and pinball through to Xbox One.

“It is only the launch day and already we are seeing really good numbers, it is looking promising for the weekend and we are already talking about next year.”

Thanet’s best gamers will also battle for prizes in the Classic Gaming Championships sponsored by Funstock.co.uk.

Andy said: “This is the UK’s first and only national retro gaming championship and the winner of the Margate heat will win a prize and expenses paid trip to Manchester for the finals.

“There will be three classic games mixed from a pot of 10 with different genres. The aim is to find the best all round classic gamer.”

Andy said Margate was the ideal location for a heat of the gaming championships.

He said: “I love the beautiful building and Margate has a fun seaside theme with characters and quirkiness - and it is so close to London.”

Jason Hodgson, 20, was dressed up as Dr Who as part of Thanet Cosplay.

He said: “I started last year and since Ramsgate Carnival I’ve never done so much.

“PLAY Margate is a big thing for all of us.”

Vijay Johnson added: “There will be a cosplay masquerade on Sunday afternoon and everyone’s welcome to enter the competition all weekend. There are trophies to be won.”

Jamie Wigg, 19, from Broadstairs is dressed up as Edward Kenway from Assassin’s Creed IV.

He said: “I’m here for the whole weekend, I’ll be going on Rockband and then some older stuff at the other end.”

GamerDisco X PLAY will also be bringing music and live entertainment on stage for adults in the evening from 7pm until 11pm tonight and Saturday.