FORMER Doctor Who Colin Baker will come to Darwen to build on the success of East Lancashire's first Dr Who convention last May.

The actor, who was invited by organiser Graham Groom, was so delighted to hear about the 2005 event that he has volunteered to stay most of the day and chat to fans.

It will be the first time the actor, who played the brightly dressed, eccentric Doctor, will have visited the town.

He will be joined by monsters and Daleks, which are expected to converge on Darwen Library Theatre.

The theatre traveled back in time in 2004 when fans and former stars -- including Terry Molloy who played Davros -- gathered alongside two replica Daleks.

But Dr Who fanatic Graham, 40, of Meadow Street, hopes even more people will take part in the convention this year.

He said: "The event was great success and we had fans travelling from as far as Glasgow and Peterborough but local ticket sales were a bit disappointing.

"This year more people are aware of the event and those long distance fans have already said they will be coming again.

"The fact Colin Baker -- who was the sixth doctor between 1984 and 1986 -- has agreed to be there is fantastic.

"There will also be Mark Gatiss, from the League of Gentlemen, who is a writer on the new series.

"Geoffrey Beevers who played The Master will be there as well as Dee Sadler who was in some episodes with Sylvester McCoy."

Graham founded the Dr Who Autograph Collectors' Club in October 2001.

The convention will take place on Saturday, September 24. Ticket prices and details of further guests will be announced soon.

Dr Who will return to TV screens on BBC1 at 6pm on March 26.