The chairman of a Norwich Star Wars group has today paid tribute to a 'legend' of the space saga, and honorary club member, who has died following a long illness.

Kenny Baker, who was 3ft 8in, played R2-D2 in the first six Star Wars films after he shot to fame as the much-loved droid in 1977.

Richard Walker, chairman of the Norwich Star Wars Club has paid tribute to the British actor, who died on Saturday aged 81, and said the 'friend' and honorary member of the Martineau Lane-based group would be 'much missed'.

Mr Walker said: 'He was a good friend. He came to all our conventions at the University of East Anglia (UEA). He's done a lot for the club. You only had to phone him up and say we've got a convention on and he would do everything possible to come.

'He was a very nice bloke who would do anything for you.

'It's a sad loss. He's a legend. I think anyone who likes Star Wars is very sad.'

Mr Walker said he was trying to find out funeral details so he and other members of the club could attend to pay tribute to Mr Baker. He also wanted to send a wreath on behalf of the club.

As well as playing R2-D2 in A New Hope Mr Baker went on to play the character in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, as well as the three Star Wars prequels from 1999 to 2005.