COMIC creators and fans will gather in East Oxford for the longest-running independent comic festival in the country this weekend.

The Caption Festival, which takes place at East Oxford Community Centre in Princes Street on Saturday, is now in its 20th year.

The weekend will include drawing workshops, discussions, and the chance for artists and writers to sell their work.

Former Oxford University student Jenni Scott, from East Oxford, started the event in 1992, and last night said she was proud to see it reach 20 years.

She said: “It’s very inclusive and interactive. It’s not all events you go to that you are encouraged to join in writing and drawing comics.

“The ethos is very much about having a go and taking part.”

She said comics were unique as they were so accessible, adding: “It’s such a great art form.

“People can do anything, small or large, for not very much money. Unlike film or music you can tell a story with very basic materials.”

About 100 people are expected to attend the festival on Saturday and Sunday.

Last year’s line-up included Doctor Who comic book illustrators Al Davison and Paul Grist.

Peter Clack, one of the organisers, said it was a big social event for comic fans, too.

He said: “There is a bar where people share ideas and mingle and share their love for comics.

“It’s a brilliant weekend and is still going strong. But new people are always welcome.

“Within the UK comic community it’s quite a big event. It’s well known.”

He added: “A lot of people see comics as being all about superheroes, films, and Hollywood, but it’s literally anything you can get from a text story.

“You can have any genre but because it’s comics it’s expressed visually rather than literarily. You can have anything from a romance to a horror story.”

Tickets cost £5 per day and the event starts at 10am on both days.

For details on the event visit www.caption.org