YOUNGSTERS at an indoor beach could hardly believe their eyes when they were joined on the sand by some visitors from a galaxy far, far away.

The beach in the Soar at intu Braehead leisure destination, in Renfrew, was almost a home from home for a Tusken Raider and some Sandtroopers who had come from the sandy deserts of planet Tatooine.

The Star Wars characters, from the Imperial Scottish Squad, were visiting Soar to check out the lie of the land before they return for the Film and Comic Con event being staged at nearby intu Braehead Arena on Saturday, August 19, and Sunday, August 20.

And they couldn’t resist spending time on the sand among the deckchairs and buckets and spades of the 32-metre-long beach area specially created for youngsters to enjoy.

Three-year-old Gracie Woods, from Kilbarchan, and four-year-old Charlie Gillespie, from Bishopton, were among those who were thrilled to meet the intergalactic guests.

The free-to-use beach in Soar at intu Braehead is open until August 20 and features lots of sand, buckets and spades, a beach hut, a surfboard and beach games.

As well as making sandcastles, visitors can also relax in deckchairs, including a giant deckchair which is already proving popular with those who are on the lookout for a selfie with a difference.

Christine Macdonald, marketing manager at intu Braehead, said: “We know our beach is very popular with youngsters and their parents but we didn’t realise the word had reached a galaxy that far away.

“But where else would a Tusken, who are known as the Sand People, go when they visit Earth, other than our beach at Soar?

“After all, we’ve got plenty of sand for everyone to enjoy.

“And, of course, a Star Wars Sandtrooper had to be there as well to make sure the Tusken Raider was on his best behaviour.”

Star Wars is one of the most successful movie franchises of all time.

It began in 1977 with the release of the first film in the series and this was followed by successful sequels The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983).

A prequel trilogy was released between 1999 and 2005, receiving mixed reactions from both critics and fans.

However, the franchise was rebooted by the launch of a sequel trilogy in 2015, when Star Wars: The Force Awakens was released.

The latest instalment in the series - Star Wars: The Last Jedi - will hit cinema screens in December.

Star Wars fans are expected to flock to Braehead Arena for this month’s Film and Comic Con.

The event takes place from 9am until 6pm on the Saturday and from 10am until 6pm on the Sunday. For more information or to book tickets, visit www.filmandcomicconglasgow.com