A small, north Wales clothing company is hoping for a financial bonanza on the back of the latest Star Wars film which goes on release at cinemas across the UK in four weeks.

Ackroyds, which is based in Bala in Gwynedd, holds a licence to manufacture related merchandise and is turning out special Star Wars pyjamas.

Although US reviews of the film called the Phantom Menace have been poor, the sci-fi drama is still expected to generate huge interest when it finally opens in the UK.

Ackroyds expects to benefit from large orders for its products. The firm formally opened its new factory on Friday.

It has just spent £1.5m expanding its operation, an investment which will create 50 new jobs over the next six months in an area where there is a great need for employment, particularly in manufacturing.

Around 90% of the company's turnover now comes from products related to films and cartoons, and all the signs point to bumper profits from its Star Wars contracts.

Fans queued up at a toy store in Cardiff on Thursday, waiting for the midnight release of Star Wars souvenirs.

Fans keen to add to their collections of memorabilia were able to choose from more than 400 items, including bath foam, keyrings, skateboards to backpacks.