Cumbria welcomed two special guests from a galaxy far, far, away to help promote a comic book festival.

Carlisle Comic Con will be held at the city’s Richard Rose Central Academy next month and to help promote it, organisers Wonky Rocket Events enlisted the help of new Star Wars villain, Kylo Ren and a Stormtrooper.

The pair spent time posing for selfies with shoppers as well as telling enthusiastic fans about what to expect.

“We’ve been doing this for 10 years and held events like this before in places like Preston, Burnley and Blackburn, said Neil Livesey, who runs Wonky Rocket Events alongside Paul Dunne and Darren Wildman.

“We know that there isn’t really anything like this in Carlisle, which is why we decided to hold a Comic Con here.

“We’ve also been promoting it in places like Maryport and Workington and also north of the border in Lockerbie and Gretna.”

A number of guests have already been confirmed for the event on March 18, including professional costumed characters.

Among them will be Dave Prowse who was Darth Vader in the first three Star Wars films.

“What makes this different is that there’s the chance to meet some of the artists who draw the comics as well as the people who star in TV shows and films,” Neil said.

Darren added: “We want to make it an event for people of all ages, right from young children to older fans.”

Comic Con will also include a number of seminars and talks on different subjects associated with comic books and sci-fi films. There will also be more than 50 stalls selling everything from cupcakes to high-end collectables.

With more than a month to go until Comic Con arrives in Carlisle, Neil said that people in the city and across Cumbria are already looking forward to what lies ahead.

“The pre-sale for tickets is going really well,” he said. “I can’t say how many we’ve sold so far, but we’re hoping to reach around 1,000, maybe even 1,500. People will also be able to buy their entry wristbands on the day as well.”

Doors open at 10am on March 18, but anyone who has bought a wristband in advance is admitted from 9.30am.

Tickets are priced £8 for adults and £4 for children. Under fives go free. They can be bought by visiting www.carlislecomiccon.co.uk