Merlin Entertainments said it might be another two years before visitor numbers at its Alton Towers theme park recover to previous levels following a roller coaster crash in June which hit summer trade and took a chunk out of profits.

There may not be any wookies there but Princess Leia will be reunited with Star Wars: The Force Awakens director JJ Abrams at awards set up to recognise the contributions of the Irish in film and TV.

John Lennon’s schoolbook is expected to fetch £100,000 (€143,000) when it goes under the hammer later this month.