Zombie Fest to invade streets to delight of British horror fans

Horror fans will be running for their lives as hordes of zombies are set to invade streets across Britain once again.

One of the zombies that ran amok inside the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, during survival chase game 2.8 Hours Later. Image by PA Wire

Survival chase game 2.8 Hours Later is back for a sixth year and sees players immersed in a film-like story as they try to escape the clutches of the undead.

The popular event kicked off its latest UK tour in Cardiff, with locations used to eerie effect including a virtually empty Millennium Stadium with pockets of monsters hidden away.

The 2015 version of the game, called Ruin, sees players having to locate the last human embryos after a zombie outbreak has rendered humankind infertile.

Armed with little more than a map, they will also have to complete physical as well as mental tasks while evading zombie hordes roaming the city streets.

And to add to the authenticity, several characters are played by professional actors – including actual amputees – in full costume and make-up.

Players who are “caught” by the living dead will be marked with invisible ink signifying infection before a “zombie disco”.

Game designers Slingshot said 2.8 Hours Later’s popularity had been infectious – with more than 60,000 people having taken part since launching in 2009.

Simon Evans, who co-founded the event with business partner Simon Johnson, said: “This offers a unique chance for players to act the lead role in a zombie video game or horror movie.

“People are always looking for something that will drag them out of their comfort zone and Ruin will do just that.

“Adrenaline and fear will push participants forward but they’ll need to be careful not to let terror overwhelm them; you will need cunning as well as speed. ”

Among those who gave 2.8 Hours Later the thumbs up was film fan Alun Withey, 32, who was among the 500 players who took part in the Cardiff game last weekend.

He said: “It was totally surreal being inside an empty Millennium Stadium at night only for a group of zombies to come out of nowhere and give chase.

“There were several other empty buildings which we had to roam around at night. It was better than a horror film because it was so realistic and you were right in the middle of the action.”

2.8 Hours Later: Ruin next kicks off in Birmingham on April 11 before heading to Manchester, Gateshead, Glasgow, Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield before finishing up in Bristol.

(Press Association)