STORMTROOPERS, aliens, superheroes and comicbook characters are expected in York this weekend.

The third annual York Unleashed takes place at York Racecourse on Sunday, and will see a former stars of Doctor Who and Game of Thrones available for fans to meet.

This year's event follows great success in previous years, with about 3,000 people attending the first event in 2015 and about 5,000 attending last year's event.

Organiser Lee Hall said the 2017 York show was "our biggest show to date", and urged anyone with an interest in film, comics or cult television to take a look.

He said: "This is the biggest event we've done, full stop. It's grown massively over the last three years, it's going to be huge. Everything has changed, the first year we just had the inside of Knavesmire, but this year we've hired the entire courtyard area too.

"Everything from vintage cars, to superhero props, to Star Wars iconic pieces, to a thirty foot tall Ghostbusters Stay Puft Marshmallow Man."

Activities throughout the day also include lightsaber training, NERF role play, Zombie Survival School, and target shooting at an outdoor shooting range.

There will also be Cosplay competitions throughout the day, a life-sized dinosaur, Transformers, green screen photography and dozens of trading tables selling comicbooks, collectables and other memorabilia.

Last year, visitors to York Unleashed watched as Chris Torretto and his fiancée Claire Molyneux, both from Bishop Auckland got married in a surprise wedding at the racecourse, after he surprised her with a wedding dress and 60 guests at Unleashed, before ratifying the marriage at the register office later.

It's not yet known whether any similar surprises will take place this year, but what organisers have confirmed is the presence of eight-foot tall Transformers, Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy, fifth Doctor Peter Davison, Game of Thrones' Julian Glover

Mr Hall said his message to anyone who was looking for something to do this weekend would be simple.

He said: "Get yourselves down, it's a great family day out. Don't worry if you're not super geeky, because we cater for everyone."

Mr Hall has visited York in recent weeks with Cosplayers from around the region, to raise awareness of the event, which will also see a trade stand from Game, showing off the latest virtual reality equipment.

He said the city had taken the event to its heart, and he looked forward to seeing people arrive.

Mr Hall said: "We really appreciate the people of the city of York, who have made us very welcome and taken ownership of the event. It really belongs to York."

Doors open to advance ticketholders from 10am, and to the public from 11am, with entry costing £6 for adults, £4 for under-12s and under-fives go free.

For more information on York Unleashed, go to unleashedtickets.co.uk