The games people used to play

If you remember the days before PC and Playstation, when playing games meant crowding around a board, then

London's annual one-day celebration of games and gaming, Dragonmeet is a whole day of playing, from board games, war games or murder mystery games - there's bound to be something to keep even the most committed computer lover fascinated.

Dragonmeet, at Kensington Town Hall, features the top new games around and it will be packed full of trade stands from more than 30 companies where you are bound to pick up a bargain in time for Christmas. There will also be tons of official demonstrations and tournaments to keep everyone amused.

Highlights will include demonstrations of the new Lord Of The Rings game, a charity auction to raise money for Guy's Hospital and a special guest appearance by the US creator of the award-winning comic strip Dork Tower and co-designer of the family game Apples to Apples, John Kovalic.

There will also be a full programme of talks, seminars and workshops, free giveaway games for the first 500 arrivals and even open gaming tables where visitors can bring their own games to play.

"Dragonmeet will show that games aren't just about Playstation 2 or X-Box," says James Wallis, chairman of the event. "Beating a computer is one thing, but going head-to-head against another person in a test of pure strategy and skill is a completely different kind of fun. This has been a great year for games: anyone looking for Christmas presents or something for after the Queen's Speech should come along."

Dragonmeet 2001
Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, London W8
Saturday 1 December from 10am to 10pm
Admittance: £6 on the door (£4.50 concessions).
More information on 020 7207 5490 or www.dragonmeet.com