A SELECTION of characters from the Galactic Empire landed in Middlesbrough at the weekend to promote the 35th anniversary of the release of the first Star Wars film.

Imperial Stormtroopers joined Darth Vader at the Captain Cook Square shopping centre to meet and greet shoppers.

The first Star Wars film was released in May 1977 and CD, DVD and games store That's Entertainment decided to mark the anniversary at its Middlesbrough store.

The event was in aid of the Dreamflight children's charity, which helps improve the lives of seriously ill and disabled people by taking them on the holiday of a lifetime.