STAR Wars fever goes into orbit around Coleford today with a day of ‘May the fourth be with you’ celebrations linked to the latest The Force Awakens movie.

The event is the brainchild of local estate agent Glenn Webb who fastened on the link between the date and the Puzzlewood backdrop for much of the filming of the epic.

The movie makers were so blown away with the location that Kathleen Kennedy the President of LucasFilm described it as ‘the most magical forest on the face of the Earth’.

Events and promotions are running throughout the day with themed windows, traders in costume and numerous retail promotions that will be for today only.

Among the highlights is a town centre costume parade and prize giving starting at 3.45pm.

This includes around 70 pupils from Coleford St Johns Academy and Clearwell School who have worked with creative Vicki Thornton to get into the spirit of the event.

The Studio Cinema will be screening The Force Awakens and a Star Wars quiz is being held at The Angel Hotel.

The event is funded by Coleford Town Council in Partnership with the Forest of Dean District Council and other local businesses.

Deputy Mayor, Nick Penny, said: “This is a first for Coleford and it is something very different for us.”