BLUEDOT Festival has announced all the details of its Star Wars themed activities for its space age celebration of music, science and culture.

Celebrating 40 years of the sci-fi saga, the three-day event at Jodrell Bank will be welcoming the original Darth Vader, Dave Prowse.

He will be in conversation with Brian Muir, the man who sculpted Lord Vader’s iconic helmet, with revealing behind the scenes stories and an interactive Q&A session.

Organisers are also creating a Jedi Training Academy with padawans receiving instruction from Andrew Laughton, the stunt double for Liam Neeson's Qui Gon Jinn in The Phantom Menace.

Andrew was taught lightsaber techniques by the film's stunt coordinator, Nick Gillard. 

He will be teaching battle moves and giving people the chance to own a personally signed replica lightsaber.

There will be a chance to meet everyone’s favourite astromech droid, R2-D2 too.

A screening of the latest movie and first spin-off from the saga, Gareth Edwards' Rogue One: A Star Wars Story will also take place in the Close Encounters cinema.

The special Star Wars anniversary celebrations have been curated by For the Love of Sci-Fi, Manchester’s annual sci-fi convention.

Ben Robinson, organiser of Bluedot, said: “The Star Wars universe is loved and adored by millions, the anniversary of the original film is a big occasion and bluedot seems the right place to celebrate the galactic cultural phenomenon the movies have become.

"Never did I imagine that 'Darth Vader' would be appearing at the event, with Hawkwind also on the Sunday it will be a cosmic day out for all!"

Bluedot Festival will see headliners Alt-J, Orbital and Pixies performing in the shadow of the iconic Lovell Telescope from July 7 to 9.

Full weekend camping tickets are now on sale and start from £149 outright or a £27.33 payment plan.

Day tickets are available from £59. Click here