HORROR fans had a hell of a good time in Darlington last night (Monday November 18).

A Hellraiser-themed evening saw fans of the cult horror franchise flock to The Forum in Darlington to meet its stars and revisit the series.

The event – staged by Darlington Film Club – featured a showing of the 1987 original Clive Barker adaptation Hellraiser, followed by its sequel, Hellbound: Hellraiser 2.

The first film’s special effects technician Cliff Wallace and actors Simon Bamford and Barbie Wilde – who both played Cenobites in the series – were on hand to answer questions from the audience and sign autographs.

Ms Wilde shared memories of her time on set, saying it took five hours to transform her into the female Cenobite – one of several extra-dimensional creatures at the centre of the franchise.

She said: “Working on set was an amazing and wonderful experience but it was also quite gruelling, especially the length of time in make-up.

“I almost didn’t go to the audition, I always totally suspend my disbelief when watching films and the first movie had really bothered me.

“My friend said I should think of 25 years from now and I did it and here we are, with so many people here more than 25 years after the films were released.

“I put it down to the intense passion and interest evoked by Clive Barker’s work, it has enduring appeal.” The event was organised by horror fans Scott Foggin and James Watson, who runs Darlington Film Club.

Mr Watson said: “The film came out when I was about 13 and it was like a video nasty back then, it’s great to watch again.

“Pinhead is one of the horror greats, he is up there with Freddy Krueger and Michael Myers.”