CHARACTERS from Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars and others from films that famous composers Hans Zimmer and John Williams have scored, turned up to the Cliffs Pavilion on Sunday.

Ray Gubbay, promoters of the stunning Music by Hans Zimmer and John Williams concert, performed by the London Concert Orchestra, got in touch with Essex Cosplayers to ask if they would like to attend.

If you are unfamiliar with the Cosplayers, they are a community of people who like to dress up in costumes and turn up at events, shaking buckets and raising money for charity.

'Essex Sparrow' aka Craig Knight-Bowers from Basildon, who is part of a cosplay group who call themselves the Blackwater Pirates, was one of the participants who went along with the aim of raising money for the group's chosen charity, Little Havens.

He said: "We call ourselves the Blackwater Pirates and went along with the Essex Cosplayers' Storm Troopers.

"The production company - Ray Gubbay - who put on the event, made us a big donation of £400, sorted us out dressing rooms, and asked if we would like to go along.

"Of course we did.

"We never ask people for money, but will go along to these events with our charity buckets, and stop and pose for photos.

"At the theatre we went into the foyer in the day time, I suppose you might call it as a warm up before the concert began.

"This was by far the most glamorous and prestigious event we have been invited to.

"It was such a privilege to go back stage and listen to the London Concert Orchestra - an amazing experience."