SHOPPERS were in for a surprise on Saturday because a Dalek was prowling the High Street and Emery Gate shopping centre.

The robot monster, famous across generations as the deadly nemesis of time lord Dr Who, spent the day meeting and greeting Chippenham folk to raise awareness of a Guinness world record attempt to have the highest number of daleks in one place, which will take place at the Olympiad on Sunday.

The record currently stands at 95 and was set in 2008. The Chippenham record attempt is the centrepiece of The Gathering - a Dalek/Doctor Who themed charity event, with all profits in aid of Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital Charity and Julia’s House Children’s Hospice.

The Gathering, organised by the Sons of Skaro, will feature various Who-related celebrity guests including former Doctor Who Colin Baker, as well as David Gooderson, Nicola Bryant, Michael Jayston and more.

The event will also have talks, Q&As, cosplay competitions, and workshops, as well as the Sons of Skaro raffle for a full-size Dalek will be drawn at the end of the event . The winner will be phoned by one of the celebrity guests.

For more information on the event, which runs from 10am till 5pm, and details on how to take part in the dalek world record attempt, visit sonsofskaro.com.