Stormtrooper from Star Wars makes surprise visit to Wigan street as residents clap for NHS staff

Residents on a Wigan street can expect to be joined by some surprise guests as they show their thanks to the NHS.
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People living on Old Road in Ashton left their houses on Thursday evening for the weekly applause and were shocked to be joined by a Stormtrooper from Star Wars.

He made a dramatic entrance on a cherry picker as music from the film series was played.

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It was organised by Old Road resident Geoff Collier and his friend and neighbour John Price, who had already visited shop Iceland in his Stormtrooper costume.

The Stormtrooper on a cherry pickerThe Stormtrooper on a cherry picker
The Stormtrooper on a cherry picker

Geoff, 53, said: "It was just for something different, to put a smile on people's faces rather than doom and gloom.

"Everybody loved it, everyone was smiling, young and old. There are a few older people near us and they liked it and the children liked it too."

The Stormtrooper arrived five minutes before the applause and afterwards people clapped and sang along to (Is This The Way To) Amarillo.

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The appearance had such a positive response that Geoff and John are organising another VIP visit to the street this Thursday - though just who it is remains top secret.

The Stormtrooper arrived just before residents clapped for NHS workersThe Stormtrooper arrived just before residents clapped for NHS workers
The Stormtrooper arrived just before residents clapped for NHS workers

Geoff, who uses the cherry picker for his work as a handyman, said: "I have been asked to do it every week so we will try to come up with different ideas."

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