Bolton Sci-Fi Comic and Toy Fair comes to Mercure Georgian House Hotel

Young and old were packed into an event room in at the Georgian House Hotel for the return of Bolton Sci-Fi Comic and Toy Fair to view and buy fiction and memorabilia from a range of market stalls.

Available to purchase were collectable comics, toys and figurines, signed film posters, trading cards, original artwork, ornaments, and costumes. 

There was music to enjoy, as well as people dressed as famous comic characters, arcade games, and a tombola - the proceeds from which will go to Bolton Hospice.

Organised by the team from Movie Superhero Exhibitors, the event took place from 11am - 4pm and the entry fee was reasonably priced at £2 for adults, £1 for teenagers and 50p for children.

One of the organisers, David – a keen comic collector of 45 years from Bolton - says that the community-run event has been held at the hotel for a number of years now.

He said: "It's an affordable event and a fun event and people like it.

"People like to attend who are like minded and into this and they want somewhere to go. If you're into soccer you go to a football match. If you're into sci-fi, comics, toys then you come here."

Event organisers Kenneth (left) and David (right) of Movie Superhero Exhibitors with helper Emily. (Image: Newsquest)

He added: "I was raised on reading comics. It's a great skill to have because it helps develop learning for people with learning difficulties or children who struggle a little bit with reading. It's a great medium to get people into reading."

This year was a particularly special year for sci-fi and comic fans. It marks 45 years since the first Star Wars movie hit cinema screens and also 55 years celebrating Stan Lee – he wrote the first Marvel comic, Fantastic Four, in 1961 – Fantastic Four.

Mark Lewis was in Blackrod with his company MMB Trading Cards for the first time. He says they are at a show every week.

Mark Lewis, owner of MMB Trading Cards (Image: Newsquest)

He added: "From Plymouth last week and we're off up to Newcastle soon. All over.

"We do like it around this area. We've had some good shows around this area.

"We used to come to events like this as customers and then we fell in love with the whole atmosphere and decided we'd give it a go ourselves."

He says there's a great sense of community at the shows.

Nicole Pollitt was there with her son, Jacob Briggs, aged five, her sister and her sister's daughter, Amelia Heslop.

"It's amazing and the cost to come in is reasonable. There's lots here for him to look at and he wants to buy everything."

Amelia Heslop (left) and Jacob Briggs (right) with Spiderman (Image: Newsquest)

"I took a picture with Spiderman and Batman," Jacob said.

Steve Houghton, 64, from Wigan, likes to support local shows, but goes all over the country dressed up to entertain children.

He said: "I was at the Birmingham NEC last week and next week I'm in Blackpool.

"I'm the oldest Spiderman here."

Movie Superhero Exhibitors put on events around the North West, and will be returning to Bolton on Sunday, March 19 at the same time in the same place.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at lewis.finney@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @lewisfinney18