R2-D2 has become one of the most popular characters to emerge from the Star Wars franchise and Preston has a very special connection to him.
For those who didn’t know, the lovable Star Wars droid was made famous by 3ft 8in actor Kenny Baker who lived in Ashton-on-Ribble for many years.
During his career Kenny famously appeared in a slew of iconic films including The Elephant Man, Time Bandits, Willow, Flash Gordon, Amadeus and Labyrinth, but it was his role as R2-D2 in six Star Wars films that made him a household name.
Kenny sadly died after a long illness at his home in Preston in 2016 at the age of 81.
At the time star-studded list of celebrities sent messages and gathered at the Lytham Park Crematorium to say their goodbyes, including David Prowse (Darth Vader) and Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett).
10 years on, we look back at his remarkable life in pictures.
1.
Going into orbit is R2D2, alias Kenny Baker, on the bouncy castle with young fans of Star Wars after he opened a fun day at Wigan Rugby Union Club in aid of the NSPCC on Saturday 20th of May 1989
2.
Star Wars legends Jeremy Bullock, left, who played bounty hunter Boba Fett, and Kenny Baker who played robot R2D2 meet old adversary Darth Vader at the opening of a new sci-fi shop, Yesterday's Yubnub, owned by Ian Clarke in Fleet Street, Pemberton, on Saturday 20th of March 2004
4.
Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker and Mark Hamill at the UK premiere of Star Wars in Manchester on January 27 1978