SPACE, stars and rockets were on a collision course at Droitwich Library as hundreds flocked for a one-day galactic experience.

The free space day in the Victoria Square building on Saturday saw visitor numbers rocket, with up to 1,400 people turning out to meet with astronomers, space authors and rocket scientists.

Young and old learned the secrets of the universe with 11 groups travelling from all over the country for the library’s third annual space day.

Jackie Passey, library manager, said the event had become really popular. 

“It’s one of those things so many people are interested in,” she said.

“A lot of people come in and spend all day in here.

“We like to do as many different things as we can for the community and it’s a way of bringing people into the library and changing people’s perceptions. We’re not just about books.”

There was even a Star Wars lego event in the afternoon for the youngsters.

Groups attending included the Worcester Astronomical Society, Birmingham Science Fiction Group, Space Flight UK and the British Interplanetary Society.

Members of the Summerfield Rocket Research Station, near Kidderminster, were also there along with Bromsgrove author Carmen Capsano who was signing copies of her science fiction series, The Owners.

The event linked in with the BBC2 programme Stargazing Live, hosted by Professor Brian Cox and Dara O'Briain, which Mrs Passey credits with making astronomy more fun.

“Brian Cox has made it so much more accessible for people who are interested,” she added.

“It’s not as stuffy as it used to be.”