A LIFE-SIZE LEGO Darth Vader welcomed people through the doors for the first day of Wantage LEGO Expo.

Crowds continued to build throughout Saturday as hundreds of people excitedly worked their way round the annual exhibition of the tiny, bright-coloured building blocks.

Fans of the fiddly toy blocks were able to explore all kinds of LEGO-themed activities and displays including a miniature LEGO version of town mayor Chris McCarthy and a mini version of the Abingdon Morris Dancers completely with tiny handkerchiefs and bead bells.

Museum curator Suzie Tilbury said: “There is an awful lot to see and do and it was really nice the first morning that the first family through the door had never been to the museum before.

“That is what it is all about, inviting and welcoming new visitors who maybe don’t know about the museum.

“But maybe now they will consider coming back for our other event that we have going on.”

It is the third year the Vale and Downland Museum has held the LEGO expo and each year it has grown immensely popular.

Last year more than 700 people poured into the museum for the exhibit from across the county and this year promises to be even bigger.

Last year’s event was held for two weeks, but popular demand has prompted organisers this year to run the event through the summer holiday and it will continue up to September 8 during the museum opening hours. It is just a suggested £1 entry fee.

Ms Tilbury added: “I would say we had about 500 people through the door on the first day and lots of those were new visitors. There were lots of happy faces.”

The museum has both displays from The Toy Planet, who help stage the event, as well as community contributions on show.

There is also a number of activity challenges including scavenger hunts, as well as an adult night with pizza for an older crowd to enjoy the LEGO.

For details search Vale and Downland Museum on facebook.com