Voted best screen puppet, Yoda is

Wizened Jedi Master Yoda has been named the greatest screen puppet of all time in a UK poll.

The tiny green creature – still a dab hand with a lightsaber at more than 800 years old – triumphed ahead of characters such as Sooty and Kermit The Frog.

He topped a poll by movie rental and online streaming service Lovefilm of top TV and film puppets.

Yoda, who was created by the team behind the Muppets and was first seen in 'The Empire Strikes Back', drew nearly a quarter of the votes.

Second place went to Kim Jong-il from spoof film 'Team America', while Kermit - also created by the Muppet-makers, was in third spot.

Zippy from children’s show 'Rainbow' – was voiced by the late Roy Skelton – came fourth.

Lovefilm commissioned the poll to mark the release of 'The Beaver', in which Mel Gibson’s character communicates through a hand puppet.

Helen Cowley, editor of Lovefilm, said: “It is clear we have a love of puppets whether on the small or big screen and it seems our favourites will never get old.”

Top ten puppets:

1. Yoda

2. Kim Jong-il (Team America)

3. Kermit the Frog

4= Zippy

4= Spike (Gremlins)

6= Elmo (Sesame Street)

6= Sir Didymus (Labyrinth)

8. Sooty

9. Captain Scarlet

10. Roland Rat