May the force be in the money ...

Christie's employee Caitlin Graham adjusts an original Darth Vader costume, which is expected to sell for as much as £230,000 at auction next month. The outfit, including the famous black helmet and mask, is thought to have been made for the second Star Wars film – The Empire Strikes Back – in 1980.

A spokesman said: "Christie's have sold some incredible relics from popular culture in the past from Dorothy's red slippers from The Wizard of Oz to a dress made for Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast At Tiffany's; arguably the Darth Vader costume is the most iconic of all.'

Meanwhile, A 1966 World Cup winners' medal belonging to England player Nobby Stiles was bought for a record-breaking sum by his former club yesterday.

Manchester United paid 188,200 for the medal at an auction of football memorabilia in Edinburgh.