THE force is with Operation Covert as a fantastic limited edition piece of Star Wars memorabilia has been offered to the Shuttle/Times and News for auction.

It is hoped the official poster - promoting the latest George Lucas blockbuster, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith - will take us a step closer to rebuilding the burnt-down Rhydd Covert Scout centre at a cost of £80,000 by inspiring film fans to dip deep into their pockets and bid generously for a piece of cinematic history.

At 50ft by 25ft, the banner has dominated the front of the Odeon Cinema in Worcester and is worth around £1,000, according to marketing assistant, Steve Annetts.

Bids for it can be made as soon as the Shuttle/Times and News hits the streets today by calling Becky Hayes on 01562 633342.

So that we can offer a piece of the action to a wider audience, we have joined forces with BBC Hereford and Worcester and will be passing the auction baton on to the radio station at 9am next Thursday.

We will bring readers the latest news of how the auction is going in next week's issue and will also publish the number to call for radio station bids - which must be made on Saturday, June 25.

Mr Annetts said there had only been a limited number of the posters made in Britain so it was a collectable item.

He added it was hoped the poster would be on display behind a stall run by cinema staff at Kidderminster Carnival on Saturday.

The poster was donated for auction after KD9 Cub group leader, Nicky Hitchcock, contacted the cinema for help in providing costumes and banners for a float they are parading at this Saturday's carnival.

The float will be full of Cubs and Beavers, aged between six and 10, dressed in home-made Star Wars outfits and flanked by cinema staff dressed in official costumes.

Mr Annetts, who will be dressed as Darth Vader at the carnival, said: "Operation Covert is a good cause and we just wanted to help out."