Thousands of people spent a weekend pretending to cast spells and battle orcs at what is considered to be the biggest Live Action Role Play (Larp) event in the UK.

Empire, held multiple times a year in Buckingham, saw 3,000 participants including “firefighters, teachers and judges” pretending to live in a fantasy world.

Larp is a popular hobby where players invent a character and do everything they would do or say in any given circumstance.

Members of smaller groups attend the event, including those from Treasure Trap, believed to be the oldest and longest-running Larp group of its kind, which is now based at Durham University.

The BBC spent the weekend immersed in the hobby for What’s Your Thing? which is available now on BBC iPlayer.

Video journalist: Adam Clarkson

Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].