SCI-FI disciples proved a force to be reckoned with this weekend as Wantage Comic Con more than doubled its crowds.

For a second year running, the town hosted its very own family-friendly comics convention at The Beacon, uniting cosplay, comics and gaming.

Flocks of fans got stuck into retro and modern gaming, met a host of sci-fi actors and also got up close to a few creepy crawlies from Wantage pet shop Lenny's Lizards.

Organiser Steve Taylor, from the Toy Planet shop on Mill Street, said this year had seen a surge in online ticket sales with more than 500 people snapping up the chance to head along on Sunday.

The hundreds buying tickets prior to the convention and those turning up on the day Mr Taylor said more than doubled the number of people compared to last year.

He said: "This year we had much more interaction, there are lots of different props, bigger gaming room and Lenny's Lizards also here this time.

"We have the retro gaming van outside and just a lot more activities so that people can stay longer.

"I am very traditional, and a lot of comic cons are all about sell, sell, sell but I want people to be able to come, stay and interact."

Crowds, many dressed up in costume, poured into The Beacon to enjoy all things sci-fi with more than 30 trade stands, a PC gaming room, retro gaming van, professional cosplayers and a Warhammer models gaming room.

Visitors also had a chance to meet sci-fi stars including Gloria Garcia, who played the Jakku Defender in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Michael Henbury from Star Wars Return of the Jedi and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.

Pulling in the punters young and old to try out both retro and modern gaming was Richard Shepherd of Bring The Game Over.

Mr Shepherd, from Faringdon, launched his new 'gaming van' to the world at Wantage Comic Con as a mobile game station for parties and other events.

He said: "I came to Wantage Comic Con last year and I remember speaking to Steve about this gaming van I was setting up.

"Now I can't believe it is here, it is like an out-of-body experience.

"The reaction so far has just been amazing, everyone says 'wow' when they see it and to see parents and children gaming together is what it is all about."

Mr Taylor started Wantage Comic Con last year to create a community event for all ages, so people did not have to travel out of the county to share their love of comics.

The idea stemmed from his work as owner of Toy Planet and in recent months he has teamed up with business partner Tom Poppel to open a bigger shop in Mill Street.

The town's very own Comic Book Guy, who lives in Lambourn south of Wantage, said people have been travelling from all over the country to the store and that's what he hopes for the annual Comic Con.

Plans are already in place for a bigger event next year which includes two-day stint at Wantage Leisure Centre.