COLCHESTER will host a sci-fi and comic book extravaganza as one of the city's most popular annual events makes a triumphant return after a two-year hiatus.

Invasion Colchester, which brings colourful characters to the city centre each year, was forced to delay its tenth anniversary edition twice.

Events in 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to the pressures of the coronavirus pandemic.

Previous events have raised more than £60,000 for St Helena Hospice and Colchester and Ipswich Hospital’s Charity as well as creating a huge buzz in shopping precincts, with iconic characters like Batman, Darth Vader and Captain America rolling into Colchester.

Gazette: Invasion Colchester in 2019Invasion Colchester in 2019

The event is set to return to the city centre between 10am and 4pm on Saturday, September 3.

Invasion Colchester will host characters and live music.

Youngsters can expect to meet their heroes, with characters from popular franchises including Star Wars, Ghostbusters, Doctor Who, Harry Potter and Jurassic Park.

A range of musicians, clubs and organisations will be putting on live performances.

Gazette: Invasion Colchester in 2019Invasion Colchester in 2019

A spokesman said: "All of this is organised to encourage our fabulous supporters to give some money to our charities."

This year's event is supporting St Helena Hospice, Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity and Mind (Mid & North East Essex).

Invasion Colchester was started by Simon Leonard and a network of close friends after Simon suffered a serious illness in 2011.

Wanting to give back to the people who had helped to save his life, he decided to organise the first event, enlisting the help of friend Kerrie Williams, who runs Colchester's ACE Comics.

Speaking to the Gazette at the last event, Simon said: "It is that shock factor. If people haven’t seen advertising for it and suddenly they see a stormtrooper or a group of princesses they might stop and see what’s going on.

“There’s the poor child who’s been dragged along to do the Saturday shopping and they get to meet their heroes. It is so rewarding.

“I think that is something no other event really offers to the same extent.”