PEOPLE in Redditch's Kingfisher Shopping Centre last weekend may have got a surprise if they bumped into a pair of Imperial Stormtroopers.

On leave from serving the Galactic Empire the soldiers, from George Lucas' Star Wars universe, were at the shopping centre to advertise an explosive family production that takes audiences behind the scenes of their favourite films.

The Hollywood Special Effects Show, which shows people how special effects are created for the screen, will be at the Palace Theatre next month.

People are being given the chance to join a team of professionals who’ve been behind the special effects on a vast range of productions including Game Of Thrones, Guardians Of The Galaxy, The Dark Knight Rises and Phantom Of The Opera.

They’ll be exposing the trade secrets to creating movie magic and giving a revealing insight into some of the most spectacular scenes in Hollywood.

A spokesman described the show as "a dangerously exciting theatrical experience like no other".

"For families and movie-buffs alike, you will feel the heat from spectacular explosions, get up close with gruesome sci-fi monsters, be blown away by apocalyptic weather and possibly star in your own high-octane stunt sequence, they said.

The show will be coming to the Palace Theatre on October 24.

In addition to this, as a taste of what’s to come ahead of the Hollywood Special Effects Show, the production team will be bringing a Movie Memorabilia Exhibition to the foyer of the theatre from this Sunday, September 30 to October 11.

This will include an exclusive array of original costumes, stunt weaponry, and equipment from a number of well known films.