A gory army of the living dead invaded the city's shiny new media centre at the weekend.

Zombie fans from across the country turned up at Leicester's Phoenix Square in blood-soaked clothes and grizzly make-up to enjoy games, screenings, zombie food and the inevitable best-dressed zombie competition.

Saturday's gruesome day of horror featured six zombie films and several "shorts", shown from noon until 1am.

Between showings, the blood-splattered audiences enjoyed blasting zombies on a computer game and other harmless activities.

"Zombie Ed" Thurlow of Terror 4 Fun, which organised the event, said: "I think zombies are popular now because they're quite relevant to the things people worry about like mad cow disease and swine flu.

"They're also a nice, manageable fear.

"If you meet a vampire or a werewolf you're toast.

"But if a zombie's coming you can just grab a cricket bat."

The event had been held for the past two years at Phoenix Arts in the city centre.

Ed said the new venue was a big hit.

Sam Cutter, 24, came from Telford in Shropshire with her friend Jessica Hunter.

She said: "We came last year as well and it was really great.

"You see all kinds of different zombie films, including some really weird ones. And this is a really wicked venue, a really great place to have it."

Jessica, 18, who was dressed as a schoolgirl zombie, said: "Just wait till the blood gets everywhere."

Rob Harman, 27, from Stoneygate, was dressed as a zombie-killing cyborg.

He went with his friend Taz English.

Rob said: "I love this event.

"It's just great to spend the day eating, drinking and watching zombie films. And dressing up is fun too, not that this is the only chance I get each year – it happens quite often."

Taz said: "We've got lots of make-up with us – including the edible blood, of course."

Among the films being shown were George Romero's classic 1978 horror Dawn of the Dead and this year's spoof Hollywood blockbuster Zombieland, starring Woody Harrelson.

For many Leicester-based fans, the highlight of the day was a sneak preview of the city's own zombie masterpiece, Zombie Undead. The film's final scene was shot in Leicester city centre in April and around 100 local zombie fans had roles as extras.

Director Rhys Davis, from Wigston, said: "It wasn't the final cut of the film but it was great to see how it looked on the big screen and through a good sound system.

"The audience loved it.

"Some of them were in the film so they loved seeing themselves on the screen.

"And they all jumped at the right times and the reaction was really great.

"Leicester is really becoming known as a city for zombies."

The film's premiere is due to take place at Phoenix Square in January.