By Aaron Sims

GLOUCESTERSHIRE played host to the Dark Side of the Force yesterday as Darth Vader and an escort of Stormtroopers landed at the Severn Bridge.

Vader, who has been recognised by the American Film Institute as the third greatest movie villain in history, travelled along the Severn Estuary before setting ashore at the Severn Area Rescue Association lifeboat station in Beachley.

The visit is to tie in with the release of Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens, the next instalment of the famous sci-fi franchise, which was, in part, filmed at Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean and the release of the forest’s new Film and TV Trail.

The trail, opening in the Forest of Dean from December 16, is designed for film fans to follow in the footsteps of their favourite characters from films, such as Star Wars, that have been filmed in the Forest of Dean.

Stroud News and Journal:

Mark Terry-Lush of Wye Valley & Forest of Dean Tourism said: "The Sith Lord is not alone as over many years we have welcomed dragon slayers, several incarnations of Doctor Who and even Harry Potter.

“The launch of the Film and TV Trail will help to record our role in so many blockbuster productions."

He added: "Anakin Skywalker may have been seduced by the dark side but it appears he has also become partial to natural beauty of the region and returned to a location that will see good battle evil on cinema screens around the world very soon.”

For more information on the Film and TV Trail visit www.wyedeantourism.co.uk