A 35FT Martian machine firing heat rays at the audience.

It can only be the return of Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds which will be invading Liverpool Arena on December 5.

Based on H.G. Wells’ dark Victorian tale, Wayne’s musical remains a firm favourite around the world four decades on.

Wayne will be returning to the podium to conduct the 9-piece Black Smoke Band and 36-piece ULLAdubULLA Strings, while Liam Neeson will return as The Journalist in 3D hologram form.

Jason Donovan is back as Parson Nathaniel alongside West End actress Carrie Hope Fletcher as his wife Beth. On top of that you can expect a 100ft wide ‘animation wall’ and a ground-breaking levitation effect.

Jason Donovan said: “The War of The Worlds has such enduring appeal and with each tour, the scale, the drama and the special effects get more and more exciting.”

Visit echoarena.com/wotw