CHARACTERS from Star Wars jetted in from a galaxy far, far away to raise money for charity.

The characters from the sci-fi epic blasted along on motorcycles from Thurrock services to the Royals Shopping Centre in Southend to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Among the cast were Ewoks and stormtroopers who greeted shoppers at the centre asking them to donate to the good cause.

Bartholomew Simpson, who took part in the ride, said: “We had a lot of donations. We’ve had half buckets full of ten and twenty pound notes.”