The saga continues, thanks to the helmet.

Star Wars villain Darth Vader is being used by the German government in an initiative aimed at getting more people to wear a helmet while riding a bike.

The campaign sees Vader appear on billboards in Berlin, Cologne and Munich, with the strapline: "The saga continues: Thanks to the helmet. True for every galaxy. And on the bike."

Germany’s transport minister, Alexander Dobrindt, said he wanted to see more people on bikes sporting the protective headgear. "The helmet is part of promoting safe cycling," he added.