A CARLISLE school today became a parallel universe of fantasy superheroes and villains...

Welcome to this year's Carlisle MegaCon convention, which allows fans of science fiction and video gaming to immerse themselves in a world that is altogether more colourful and exciting.

Hundreds of people have been taking part, many turning heads with lurid and brilliantly detailed costumes.

Among them was Wigton woman Katrina Jackson-Dugdale, with her character Killer Frost radiating a heart-stopping chill.

She travelled to the event 'in character' on the bus.

"I got quite a few stares from the older people on the bus," she said.

"I had a friend some years ago who gave me the nickname Caitlin Snow," explained Katrina, referring to the original name that was taken by the supervillain she was impressively impersonating.

Workington based textiles teacher Corinne Carrick, 37, spent months creating her impressive costume - a replica of that worn by the Phantom Menace Star Wars heroine Padme Amidala.

"She stood out in the film," said the mum-of-three.

"She was glamorous and flamboyant. Of all the Star Wars woman, she had the nicest dresses.

"This costume has taken months and months of work, but I teach textiles and I've loved making it. I love making things and I'm also passionate about film and TV, so this event brings all of those things together."

Nathaniel Crabtree, 20, from Bassenthwaite, came as Game of Thrones hero Jon Snow.

"I like making people smile," said the charity worker.

"I've been doing this for a couple of years. You get a lot of fun and friendship out of it."

One of the youngest people taking part. supported by dad William, was Annan schoolgirl Emily Harrison, who arrived looking like a real life Hatsune Miku - a blue-haired Japanese heroin of video games.

"I like to look out for people's different creations," she said.

The event began in 2011.

Organiser Levi McGlinchey described it as a "nerdy gathering", attended by scores of creative, arty, lovers of sci-fi fantasy. As well as costume play (cosplay), there are numerous stalls, comics, workshops, console competitions, trading card tournaments, and much more. It finishes today at 7pm.