Movie Mania this weekend at the National Space Centre

Back in 2006 over 3,000 people invaded Britain's National Space Centre in just one day to meet their favorite movie characters. It's a day that still holds the record for the most people through the doors at Leicester's number one visitor attraction, but aqn upcoming event this coming weekend, offering much more to see and do, means the record looks like it will be smashed.

Over 50 costume characters came along to entertain the crowds: this year, the number for this year's Movie Mania is over 100 and still rising, including Darth Vader, Star Wars Stormtroopers, Ironman, Captain Jack Sparrow, Predator, Lara Croft, Ghostbusters, X-Men, Aliens, Colonial Marines, Austin Powers, the Stargate team, Batman, The Joker and many more.

Members of the 501st UK Garrison, Reel Icons, Rebel Command and UKCM have also joined forces to make this event totally out of this world.

Costume characters will be joined by real stars of the movies, with people such as Chris Barrie (Rimmer), Norman Lovett (Holly) and Chloe Annett (Kristine Kochanski) from TVs Red Dwarf, joining the team to raise money for children's charities.

One of the highlights of the weekend is one for the over 18s only, taking inspiration from the cult movie Aliens. The Alien Encounter is a live interactive walk through experience created by the UKCM for the National Space Centre, offering a tour through the Biological Research Facility to discover everything you need to know about Alien lifeforms here on Earth.

(We're told the Marines will be on hand to keep you safe, so what could possibly go wrong?)

All visitors will be able to have photographs taken with their favorite character, join the ghost hunt with the Ghostbusters, learn some new pirate moves from Captain Jack Sparrow or help Batman defeat The Joker and his Goons. In addition the Replica Prop Board team will be on hand with one of the UK's largest collections of movie accurate props and costumes, as well as finding out insider tips on making props of your own.

"We're amazed at the support from these groups to make such a huge event happen here in Leicester," says Malika Andress, Head of Marketing at the National Space Centre. "People will be amazed at not only how movie accurate the costumes are, but the fact that these guys become the characters, they don't just wear a costume.

"The whole event is about having a great day out for family and fans alike, but also about raising money for children's charities, so the Dark Side does have a nice side after all!"

Web: www.spacecentre.co.uk

Vote Imperial - Vote Hi-Ex

Inverness' Eastgate Shopping Centre had extra security at the weekend in the form of a Stormtrooper of the 501st UK Garrison who was helping Richmond Clements and Vicky & Ish Stonebridge promote the Hi-Ex comics convention to the locals, as well as collecting money for Hi-Ex's nominated charity Children 1st, the Scottish version of the NSPCC.

Unsurprisingly he proved a hit with the local children and, as well as the more typical Stormtrooper poses behind kneeling captives, this 'trooper brought the Imperial agenda to the fore by proving that in an election year you don't have to be a democratic politician to kiss babes in arms.

Hi-Ex will be taking place in Inverness' Eden Court on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 March 2010 with doors open from 11am each day (although we fully expect that at least some people will forget that the clocks go forward on the Sunday). Last year the convention raised over £1600 for Children 1st and this year once again they will have their raffle and charity auction. Items in the charity auction include artwork from David Lloyd, Simon Fraser and Bryan Talbot and all auction items can be bid on by non-attendees to Hi-Ex by following the details on their website.

More details of the Hi-Ex convention including directions to the venue and ticket prices can be found on the Hi-Ex website.

Star Wars stormtroopers storm Inverness!

If you’re out and about in Inverness this coming Saturday (20th March) you best watch your step. Because at around mid-day, the Eastgate centre will see a mini invasion, in the shape of stormtroopers from the Star Wars movies, courtesy of members of the 501st Garrison.

They’ll be there to raise awareness of Children 1st, Scotland's leading welfare charity, and to let people know about the Hi-Ex - The Highland International Comic Expo - which will take place on the 27th and 28th at the city's Eden Court venue.

As well as the outreach programme funded by the Highland Council, HiEx also supports Children 1st with a raffle and auction during the weekend. Details of the auction items can be found on their website.

All items have been donated from various companies and comic artists, who have given pages of original art, including David Lloyd, co-creator of V for Vendetta and John Higgins, both of which have been recently been made into hit movies.

"Last year, the raffle and auction raised over £1600 for Children 1st," notes HiEx organiser Vicky Stonebridge, "with people bidding online from all over the world, and we hope to surpass that this time."

2010 will see the third time HiEx has been held in Inverness, and the first time they have succeeded in securing funding from the Highland Council. It's hoped there will be another HiEx event next year, but as Vicky explains, "It’s all very much dependant on future funding and how this years event goes.

"We have some very exciting guests this time, some coming from as far afield as Paris and New York, so we’re hopeful that HiEx 2010 will be a big enough success for us to continue next year."

• Details of the weekend events and discount weekend tickets can be found on the website: www.hi-ex.co.uk