UK early release of Star Wars movie offers tourism 'new hope'

Scene from Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens

News the latest Star Wars film will be shown in the UK before it is released in the US has been welcomed by tourism bosses.

Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens will be released in the UK on 17 December.

This is a day earlier than previously announced and 24-hours ahead of its release in the US.

VisitScotland said it hoped hardcore fans in the US would come to the UK, and Scotland in particular, to see it.

Last year, Scotland saw a big increase in visits from North America.

However, it has competition in the Star Wars stakes as France will be first screening the movie on 16 December.

The new Star Wars adventure will be released in cinemas in December

The Force Awakens is being seen as one of the biggest events on this year's cinema calendar.

A spokesman for VisitScotland said: "Last year, Scotland saw its biggest increase in North American visitors in more than a decade.

"And while the vast majority of our friends from across the Atlantic come here for our incredible scenery or our golf, the early release of Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens in the UK will give die-hard movie fans one more reason to enjoy a holiday in Scotland.

"Thanks to the number of direct air routes from North America, prospective visitors won't have to charter an expensive flight from Mos Eisley Spaceport to get here."