TABLE-TOP robot wars and remote controlled cars made using 3D printers were among the eye-catching attractions at the Brighton Mini Maker Faire.

Back for its fourth year, the UK’s first and biggest event of its kind was fizzing with ideas and excited children and adults as the brightest minds showed what can be achieved when technology and ingenuity combine.

This year’s event was bigger and better than ever with 70 stalls and 230 makers from as far afield as Amsterdam amazing an estimated 4,000 visitors with their creativity in the Corn Exchange and Brighton Dome on Saturday.

A favourite with this year’s visitors was a giant game of Pacman projected on to a huge weather balloon.

Its creator Mike Pountney, who co-founded the maker faire with Andrew Sleigh, said he was inspired to take activities that were sedentary and make them active with children chasing each other and the Pacman character.

Mr Pountney said: “We hope to make it inspiring, not just for kids, but adults too.

“We have people who came as visitors last year and who have applied to be a maker this year, people who have been inspired to create, who have found they have an itch they need to scratch.

“When we first started the faire it was for the maker community really, I didn’t really think it would be something for kids but it has developed over the years into something amazing for kids.”

Also drawing a lot interest was University of Sussex IT engineer Graham Martin with his home-made conversion of a Honda Beat into a high-performance electric car.

Mr Martin, with the help of some local experts, converted the car by stripping out the petrol engine and replacing it with a 220v DC motor and 108 Lithium batteries at a total cost of about £12,000.

Capable of a top speed of 90 mph and 0-60 mph in less than five seconds, Mr Martin joked his car would have fitted in just as well at Saturday’s Speed Trials in Madeira Drive.

Also at the event was Lancing-based engineer Paul Strotten, who has created his own 3D printer able to create plastic figurines in a matter of minutes.

He has been working with Stephen Cropp from BuildBrighton Hackspace on the design, which he hopes to market commercially.

For more information on the makers taking part in this year’s event visit www.makerfairebrighton.com.