JEDI knights have been showing off their lightsaber skills in the unlikely setting of one of the region’s greatest stately homes.

Members of Britain’s first Lightsaber Academy visited Castle Howard, to showcase their Star Wars-inspired dueling skills.

They marked the launch of this year’s sci-fi theme for the seasonal blockbuster firework display, Kaboom, to be held in the grounds of the stately home on October 29.

LudoSport is a growing combat sport inspired by Star Wars and experts will be teaching fans of the space saga how to fight like Jedi warriors.

The fully choreographed Kaboom firework display will combine state-of-the-art fireworks synchronized to a specially commissioned music track and a screening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens to close the show.

For younger children there will be a film screening of the Disney Pixar classic Monsters Inc ahead of the main firework display, as well as a traditional funfair, a Sparkler Park, live entertainment, fire jugglers, carnival performers, and the chance to tuck into traditional seasonal goodies.

Tickets are £15 for adults and £10 for children aged 5 to 15. Family tickets are £35 for two adults and two children.

They must be purchased in advance via kaboomyork.com or castlehoward.co.uk and at the Visit York Information Centre, Museum Street, York.