SHOPPERS at Festival Place this weekend were in for a shock as stormtroopers took over the centre all in aid of charity.

On Sunday, February 11, the suited space soldiers, along with Darfada, were at the centre from 11am to 3pm on a mission to raise additional funds for St Michael's Hospice.

It is an independent charity based in Basingstoke, supporting people across North Hampshire who have a life-limiting illness, are facing the end of life or experiencing bereavement.

It costs £14,000 a day to run the hospice and with one more day in the calendar this year, it is urging people to become a Leap Year Hero and help pay for an extra day of vital care.

Basingstoke Gazette: Stormtroopers invade Basingstoke's shopping centre to raise money for charity

Emily Palmer, head of marketing, said: “St Michael’s Hospice delivers care and support to so many people in our community and the idea that one extra day in the calendar can cost them that much is really eye-opening.

READ MORE: This is why stormtroopers will invade Basingstoke's shopping centre this weekend

“We hope the Stormtroopers will bring some smiles on Sunday and ‘encourage’ people to dig deep for our much-loved hospice.”

@basingstokegazette Some interesting shoppers spotted today👀 #basingstoke #festivalplace #stormtroopers #starwars ♬ Powerful sound like Star Wars - Yukari Okano

A Gazette reporter visited the centre where children where amazed to spot the unusual group.

Basingstoke Gazette: Stormtroopers invade Basingstoke's shopping centre to raise money for charity

The charities services include pain-controlling medication and vital round-the-clock care within its In-patient Unit (IPU) and in the community through the hospice at home team, as well as continuing to be there for families after the death of a loved one with specialist bereavement support.

Click on our gallery to see all the photos from the day.

For more information about the Leap Year Hero movement visit justgiving.com/campaign/leapyearhero24.