Members of the Norwich Star Wars Club in character for the showing of Star Wars Episode 1 in 3D at the Riverside Odeon. Picture: Denise Bradley

Today is the day that fans of George Lucas’ Star Wars have been waiting a long, long time for after it emerged a further trilogy in the space saga is to be made.

The seventh movie, with a working title of Episode 7, is set for release in 2015, with Episodes 8 and 9 to follow.

The news, which follows an announcement that Walt Disney was buying Lucasfilm for 4.05 billion US dollars, has been greeted with delight by Star Wars fans.

Richard Walker, chairman of the Norwich Star Wars Club UK, said: “We’ve been waiting for this for a long time.”

Mr Walker also added he was not concerned about Star Wars being “Disneyfied” as a result of Lucasfilm being bought by Walt Disney.

He said: “It’s got to be kept as Star Wars. No-one wants to see Donald Duck jump out with a ligthsaber.”

Mark Dean, chairman of the Norwich Sci-Fi Club, said: “I’m pleased they’re going to do it - as long as they don’t bring back Jar Jar Binks.”

For full story see tomorrow’s paper.