AN EMPTY Borehamwood shop has been transformed by a huge picture of a Star Wars Imperial Stormtrooper.

The shop, between Shenley Road and Borehamwood Shopping Park, has been decorated with a massive collage of images celebrating the film and television heritage of the area.

On closer inspection, a history of the Stormtrooper image on the shop door reveals the man behind the mask is The Borehamwood & Elstree Times columnist Paul Welsh MBE.

In 1978, Paul dressed as one of the iconic baddies for the town festival. The year before, George Lucas had filmed the original movie in the Star Wars trilogy at Elstree Studios.

This display forms part of the First Impressions project, which aims to improve the area using the film and television theme. Already, residents can see a Hollywood-style "walk of fame" at Elstree & Borehamwood Station and film banners along Shenley Road.