ST HELENS went Star Wars crazy this afternoon after stormtroopers landed in Church Square - and even invaded the town hall.
The sci-fi characters arrived in the town centre ahead of the opening of Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, which is set to hit the big screen on Thursday, December 17.
Organisers hoped the buzz surrounding the release would boost Christmas shopping in the town centre on a Sunday - and there was a huge turn out of families.
St Helens Council had scheduled to have the troops inside La Grange Arcade because of poor weather - but they had to take the event outside because of the bumper crowds.
Children and plenty of adults posed for pictures with Darth Vader's soldiers.
The characters were from Star Wars based Costume Group, 99th Garrison and two of them were stationed at the town hall for special duties - accompanying the comedian Johnny Vegas for his walk on at a charity darts event for the Steve Prescott Foundation.
They found time to pose with Saints legend Paul Wellens and a couple of builders, while some onlookers - including bus and taxi drivers seemingly unaware of the visit - looked on bewildered at the sight of the intergalactic invasion.
Do you have any pictures or videos of the stormtroopers in St Helens? Email them to news@sthelensstar.co.uk
@JohnnyVegasReal Darts #StHelens Town Hall @A180DARTS @Woodward_Sols with the #STORMTROOPERS pic.twitter.com/5XIF5ytIuA
— InaPickle (@bartonspickles) December 6, 2015
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@sthelensstar storm troopers in St.Helens! pic.twitter.com/4va5JXaEz3
— cheryl smith (@chezney100) December 6, 2015
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