Doctor’s Tardis drops in

9:00am Wednesday 25th July 2007

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WIDE-EYED Doctor Who fans were stopped in their tracks as the TV Timelord parked his Tardis in Victoria Square, Bolton, yesterday.

The old-style police box, used by the Doctor to travel through time, is one of four replicas created by Manchester Museum of Science and Industry.

The museum is currently hosting a themed exhibition - Doctor Who Up Close - and the machines have been materialising in towns around Manchester to promote it.

Tardis creator Russell Leigh said: "It is one of the most well-known and iconic features of Doctor Who and fans were amazed to see that the Tardis had arrived in Bolton."

It delighted Doctor Who fan, Mark Edwards-Williams, aged six, of Heaton, who was shopping with mum Samantha and 18-month-old brother Andrew.

"I watch all the Doctor Whos," said the Devonshire Road school pupil, whose toybox is crammed with characters from the series.

Mrs Edwards-Williams said: "We have no choice. Everything stops on a Saturday night for Doctor Who."

It was not just the children who were attracted to the famous police box - adults were also stopping to admire it and take pictures.

Australian Anne Furlong, who has been staying with relatives in Astley Bridge, snapped a photograph to impress her friends back home in Melbourne.

"Quite a few people I know watch Doctor Who," she said. "We've just started to get the third series."

Thousands of enthusiasts have already flocked to Doctor Who Up-Close exhibitions in Brighton, Leicester, Merseyside and Cardiff. But Manchester's special exhibitions gallery is the largest space used so far and is able to house the huge 15ft-long long Empress of Racnoss spider, which featured in the Christmas Day special.

The exhibition includes costumes and props featured in the series and will run at the Liverpool Road museum in Manchester, until January.

A host of special events will be held throughout August, including a world record bid for the largest gathering of Daleks on August 26, when visitors are urged to turn up dressed as one of the metal aliens.

• Tickets cost £6.50 for adults and £4.50 for concessions. Under fives go free and a family ticket costs £20. To book call 0870 4000636.