Even the most adversarial superheroes set aside their grudges to enjoy a day of comic book capers and movie-themed fun on the streets of Colchester.

Heroes, villains and archenemies temporarily settled differences for the fifth annual instalment of Invasion Colchester at the weekend.

Parts of the town resembled Hollywood film sets as everyone from the ‘Ghostbusters’ to the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ got involved to help raise money for St Helena Hospice and the Colchester Hospitals Charity.

As well as all the fancy dress fun, there were high-octane appearances from a selection of star cars, including Starsky and Hutch’s Ford Gran Torino and a Dukes Of Hazzard Dodge Charger.

Children got the chance to find certain characters hidden around Colchester and collect a full sheet of spotter’s stamps, which entered them into a draw to win a mystery prize.

Organised by ACE Comics, the event also featured live music, a Dr Who exhibition, an auction of graphic novel artwork and a mini comic book making workshop.

Special guests included Nick Joseph, among whose film and television credits are Star Wars, Doctor Who, The Spy Who Loved Me, The Chronicles Of Narnia and Blake’s 7. He also Albert Square’s milkman for three years on Eastenders.

Kerrie Williams, of ACE Comics, launched the annual event with Simon Leonard, who suffered organ failure in 2011 as a result of swine flu and wanted to raise money for the medics who treated him.

She said: “It’s fantastic. The town was mobbed. Normally it’s full of people doing their shopping but this time it was hundreds of people in fancy dress.

“We raised £4,000 last time and it would be amazing to beat that total this year.”