The time is right for Dr Who convention

Exterminate! The Daleks are coming to Wearside.


As the new series of Dr Who starts tonight, the Echo can reveal that Washington's Holiday Inn Hotel will host its first convention dedicated to the hit sci-fi show later this year.

Dimensions 2007 will bring stars of the series past and present to the city over the weekend of November 9 to 11.

Already confirmed as appearing are sixth Doctor Colin Baker, actress Nicola Bryant, who played his companion Peri, and Michael Jayston and Lynda Bellingham, who both co-starred in the Trial of a Time Lord in 1986.

The event is being organised by Essex-based Tenth Planet. Spokesman Derek Hambly said hotel manager Ken Ellington was the reason the Doctor was materialising on Wearside.

"This is the fourth year we have run a convention in the North East – first in Newcastle, then in Stockton," he said.

"When Ken moved to Washington, we moved with him. He loves the show himself, so he always looks after us."

Derek is promising plenty to keep the show's new generation of fans entertained.

"We will have a photo stall, where people can have their pictures taken with the actors, and there will be Daleks and Cybermen walking around, as well as other activities for the kids," he said.

Dimensions 2007 will launch the Holiday Inn's new Garden Pavilion Ballroom, created as part of a facelift which has 65 bedrooms fully refurbished, following a complete installation of air conditioning.

"The Garden Pavilion Ballroom adds a totally new dimension to the hotel, and will give us the opportunity to move into new and exciting markets this year," said Ken Ellington.

"Clearly as a long-term Doctor Who fan, I'm also delighted the Daleks will be descending on Washington, with an expected 500 attendees from all over the world following in their wake."

Tickets for Dimensions 2007 are available from 10th Planet Ltd, Unit 37a Vicarage Field Shopping Centre, Ripple Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8DQ.

Credit card bookings may be made by telephone on: 020 8591 5357 or through the website www.tenthplanet.co.uk/dimensions

For information on the Garden Pavilion, contact Ken Ellington or Karen Whittaker on 0870 400 9084 or via ken.ellington@ichotelsgroup.com