DARTH Vader, Princess Leia, mad scientists and rabbits were some of the characters to take part in a colourful fundraiser involving 1,500 people.

St Mary's College, Blackburn, held its annual fancy dress Walk In The Park event yesterday, with students and staff completing the walk from the Shear Brow college to Corporation Park and back.

Now in its fifth year, the popular event usually gives a free rein to the choice of fancy dress, but this year everybody stuck to the theme of "science", to mark the opening of the college's new multi-million pound science facility, the Graystone Centre.

Principal Kevin McMahon, who dressed as a mad scientist for the occasion, said: "This is always a great event that helps break the ice for the many new students and staff at the start of term, but this year is a bit different because of the opening of the science centre.

"Today is St Mary's feast day, so we decided to time both the Walk In The Park and the Graystone Centre opening on the same day.

"The whole college has got involved and thrown themselves in to it, and we've had some great fancy dress outfits - people have taken the theme of science very flexibly!"

As well as Star Wars characters, there were plenty of people dressed as animals, and even cowboys.

Gemma Barnes, 16, of Haslingden Road, Rawtenstall, said: "Our form decided to do a Back to the Future theme to be a bit different, so I came as a cowboy!

"This is my first year here and it's a great event, I'll definitely be doing it again next year."

As well as a £1 entry charge, students also collected sponsorship to raise money for the college's two dedicated charities, The Christie Hospital in Manchester and children's hospice Derian House, near Chorley.

English tutor Siobhan Mercer said: "The students have been great. It's a £1 entry charge but lots of students have been giving £5 and £10 instead, as well as sponsorship."

Last year the college donated around £3,000, and hope to beat that this year.