SHOPPERS dodged questions from agents of the evil Galactic Empire as a galaxy far, far away came to Southend.

Star Wars villain Darth Vader, flanked by Stormtroopers, stalked the Victoria Shopping Centre on Saturday, demanding to see visitors’ identification.

But luckily some of the saga’s heroes, including Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Chewbacca, were on hand to fight them off.

The role-playing drama was all part of the shopping centre’s first Star Wars day, which could now become an annual event after fans from across the country turned up.

In addition to actors, the ‘Feel the Force’ event featured a three-quarter scale X-Wing fighter built by Westcliff prop maker Dave Taylor.

The craft, which famously got stuck in a bog on Yoda’s adopted home plant of Dagobah, had “crash landed” at the centre.

Visitors were also treated to a Star Wars themed balloon making masterclass featuring a scale model of heroic droid R2D2.

Youngsters dressed up for the day as their favourite heroes and took part in lightsabre battles.

Gina Evans, from the shopping centre, said: “We do events each year and we knew this one would be great for the kids- but it also attracted a lot of interest from adults.

“We had Star Wars buffs from across the country. It was very successful so it could become an annual event.

“There was a mini-Jedi workshop where the little kiddies learnt how to use a lightsabre and there were lots of kids in costumes.

“We had actors playing the character and they would jump out and fight each other. It was interesting when Darth Vader was demanding to see people’s ID- some people actually took it very seriously.”

The Echo told last week how Dave Taylor built the X-Wing, which has an awesome 30ft wingspan- one bit at a time like a huge 3D jigsaw.

He said: “Making the X-Wing is possibly one of the most ambitious projects I’ve event taken on.

“I don’t often tackle single pieces this large.

“I’ve made large sets but not a single prop or sculpture this size.

“But it’s not too complicated as it’s simply a matter of breaking the form down into a series of geometric shapes which can then be assembled.”