THE biggest Star Wars celebration of 2015 is taking place in Manchester just a fortnight before the new film hits cinemas.

'For the Love of the Force' will be held at Bowlers Exhibition Centre between December 4 and 6 to get fans in the mood ahead of The Force Awakens' release on December 18.

Visitors will have the chance to meet Darth Vader himself, Dave Prowse, and be awestruck by a full-size Imperial AT-ST Walker, the only one of its kind in the UK.

Film fans can also be spirited away to a galaxy far, far away with iconic sets recreated including Tatooine's Cantina, Jabba's Palace with a full scale Jabba the Hutt prop, the Ewok village on Endor and Yoda's home on Dagobah.

There will even be a 'Jedi Training School'. Andrew Lawden who trained for The Phantom Menace as a stunt double for Liam Neeson will be teaching kids and big kids how to use a lightsaber.

An orchestra will be playing the classic Star Wars score throughout the weekend and there will be exhibitions dedicated to droids, stormtroopers and Han Solo in carbonite as well as merchandise stalls.

You will also have the chance to meet Star Wars actors and crew including Toby Philpott, the puppeteer who brought Jabba the Hutt to life.

Toby also worked on Labyrinth and Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Organiser Carl Whiteley said: "Star Wars is the biggest movie franchise of all time and has legions of fans of all ages.

"This convention is for the fans and gives them the opportunity to meet their heroes face to face.

"With the event taking place two weeks before the release of the new film, there will be massive hype around Star Wars and this will give fans something special."

For more information and weekly updates visit starwarsuk.co.uk