"I CAN feel the Force in Swindon." This was the view of no less a man than Darth Vader himself as thousands of Star Wars fans flocked to the Marriott Hotel over the weekend to get a glimpse of some of their heroes from the blockbusting films.

The extravaganza was organised by Star Wars nut Luke Skywalker, who owns a film memorabilia store in Faringdon Road, and was run over two days.

On Saturday, The Marriott hosted a special dinner and auction with members of the cast, while a giant autograph session was held at the Pipers Way hotel yesterday.

And after signing hundreds of autographs, Dave Prowse, who played the Dark Lord in Star Wars Episodes IV to VI, said he was bowled over by the interest in the event from the Swindon public.

Dave, who was also the safety concious Green Cross Man, said: "I think it is probably the biggest autograph signing event that I have done in 30 years.

"It is certainly the biggest as far as interest is concerned. I can feel the Force in Swindon.

"Swindon has been a fantastic place for me, not only as Darth Vader but also when I was doing the Green Cross Code because I had a great reception when I visited a lot of the schools here."

Fans queued in their droves in pouring rain to meet some of their favourite characters, as Storm Troopers kept guard over Darth Vader in the hotel lobby.

Mum Rachel Ingham, from Abbey Meads, queued up with her son Jacob for half an hour before the event.

"We got here about 9.30am so we were waiting in the rain," she said. "Jacob didn't know we were coming here as we wanted it to be a surprise, but when he knew it was Star Wars he was well away."

Although he is only six, Jacob said that he prefers the original Star Wars films.

"I like episodes four, five and six because it's got my favourite characters in them" he said.

"I like Luke Skywalker, but my favourite today was the Scout Trooper because I got to have my photograph taken with him."

Eight-year-old Matthew Smith, from Highworth, admitted to being a little apprehensive about meeting Darth Vader in the flesh.

"I was a bit scared," he said. "I like Obi Wan Kanobi, R2D2 and Annakin (Skywalker)."

Matthew is not the only Star Wars fan in his family. His mum Carrie Basson also has a soft spot for some of the characters in the film epics.

"I'm a Star Wars fan too," she said. "We got here at 9.15am, but it's been worth the wait. I've always liked the films as I grew up with them. I like the little robots R2D2 and C3PO."

Among the other characters signing autographs were Jeremy Bulloch, who played Boba Fett in Episode V, and Richard Lepartmentier, who played Admiral Motti, the character famously strangled by Darth Vader in the original movie.

The first 300 children at yesterday's event received a free Star Wars gift and organiser Luke is already planning to put on even bigger events in the future.

"It is just bedlam," he said pointing to the crowds yesterday. "This is just the beginning because we are already thinking of putting on even bigger events.

"It has been a fantastic weekend."

And Adver competition winner Stuart Kennedy, of Morris Street, Rodbourne, rounded off a great weekend when he picked up his prize of a Darth Vader helmet at the hotel yesterday.

"I've loved Star Wars all of my life," he said. "I collect Star Wars memorabilia, so the Darth Vader helmet will take pride of place at home.

"But I think I'm going to have a battle with my wife over where I can put it!"