TRUE believers flocked to a Winchester comic shop to pick up some free comics and help raise money for charity.

Independent comic book shop Comics, Games and Coffee raised almost a thousand pounds for mental health charity Mind as part of their Free Comic Book Day celebrations.

The event last Saturday saw the store in The Brooks Shopping Centre give away thousands of comics from major publishers including DC and Marvel, as well as selling a range of comics and merchandise created by local artists.

The shop also put on a charity raffle with items donated from local businesses including a stormtrooper standee from HMV, free coffee from Flat Whites, free meals from Piecaramba!, a DC-themed pillow from Three Little Birds, Avengers toys from the Entertainer, and a Laurence of Arabia poster from local artist Olly Moss.

Co-owner Aaron Tavaler said: “It was great to see all of the businesses come together and support us, everyone I went to was more than happy to help us.

“It was great to see the community coming in to support us, and there were plenty of happy kids getting comic which was nice.

“I’m already looking forward to next year.”