AN AVID Star Wars fan is hoping the force will be with him when he shares the stage with C3PO at a glitzy opening bash for the new Star Wars film.

Atherton man David Brown will be at next month's star-studded opening night celebrations for the new Star Wars Movie, Episode Two: Attack of the Clones . It will be staged on May 15 in London's Leicester Square.

David, aged 29, aims to wow the crowds when he appears on a custom-made stage at the Leicester Square Odeon, dressed in his most prized Star Wars possession - his Storm Trooper suit - which cost him the top side of £1,000.

On stage, David will be rubbing shoulders with actor Anthony Daniels, who played robot C3P0 in the original 1970s Star Wars trilogy and will officially announce the opening of the movie.

David said: "Basically I'll just be on stage, dressed in my Storm Troopers suit while Anthony Daniels talks. I think it will be exciting for the crowds."

A member of the semi-secret fan organisation the Storm Trooper Garrisons he had to own a rare and difficult-to-find storm trooper suit, and prove he owned a suit by sending in photographs of himself dressed in it, in order to join.

He said: "It's was all hush-hush. I can't mention where I got the suit from."

The storm trooper suit, made of white ABS plastic is full of "space age" technology.

Inside his mask David has miniature fans inside his mask to keep him cool and he even has a headset enabling him to communicate.

David insists the suit is very comfortable to wear and easy to move around in and even to sit down in. David claims there are hundreds of Garrison members all over the world, although there are only 45 in the UK branch which started two years ago.

As a Garrison member David will be able to fuel his interest in Princess Leia, Hans Solo and company by going along to special conventions which he hopes will lead to meetings with more celebrities.

While in London next month he will attend a massive convention at London Expo for fans of Star Wars, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and other science fiction enthusiasts.

David said: "If you haven't watched the Star Wars films you haven't lived. Most of the kids who grew up in the 70s are into Star Wars. Eighties' kids are not interested. The films are so well written."

David, who runs his own electrical business based in Atherton, says although friends find him to be somewhat eccentric it has not dampened his enthusiasm.

"I've got all the Star Wars figures. They are all still in their boxes and have never been opened. I do not even look at them. They should be worth a fortune, although I think the suit is the most expensive item I've got."

However, he has drawn the line at putting Star Wars posters up at his home, saying: "That would be too sad."