Gentle giant Peter Mayhew, best remembered for his roll as Chewbacca in the blockbuster Star Wars trilogy, is soon to bid farewell to the town he has grown to love.

He moved to the Keighley area from the South in 1987. And love, admits 56-year-old Peter, is one of the main reasons he is to set up home in Dallas, USA, with Angelique, his Texan bride of six months. The couple met at a convention in the States 18 months ago and were married in Mexico last August.

Peter, who at 7ft 3in towers two feet taller than his new wife says he is moving to the States because of family and work commitments. He continues to be in demand in the US where he's still remembered for his big screen role which 'remains a major part of life.'

His last role was handing over a cheque to Manorlands this week on behalf of his friends Gerald and Glenis Hey, of the Three Sisters Hotel, Haworth.

The donation came from generous customers over the festive period.

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