FAMILIES and youngsters enjoyed fun at a Star Wars themed event at a busy shopping centre with the star attraction being a specially created speeder bike.

Visitors flocked to the Victoria Shopping Centre, Southend for the free Feel the Force day.

The youngsters enjoyed a range of activities based on the films.

The fun at the centre included making lightsabers during a special workshop and then dressing as young Jedi and joining the Jedi masterclass.

Various characters from the popular films also made an appearance for a meet and greet session.

These included Chewbacca, Darth Vader, a number of Stormtroopers and Queen Amidala.

A spokesman for the centre said: “The day was fantastic with lots of people dressing up as their favourite Star Wars character and joining in the Jedi workshop.

“The speeder bike created specifically for the event by artist Dave Taylor was an amazing centrepiece and there were lots of smiling faces as fans had pictures taken of them riding through the forest moon of Endor.”

Speeder bikes were seen in the Return of the Jedi film, the third film released but now number six in the series.

Visitors were able to relive the scene as Luke or Leia racing through the forest of Endor. It was held on Saturday September 29.