A FORMER Colchester paratrooper triggered a terror alert during a fancy dress charity walk.

Stephen Ball dressed as Star Wars favourite Commander Gree, complete with blaster, as part of a fundraiser for four-year-old Neave Evans who has four limb cerebral palsy.

Unfortunately his armoured appearance complete with fake firearm on Saturday morning drew the attention of the police.

Event organiser Jan Evans apologised for any offence caused by the “innocent mistake” during the walk in Accrington.

Mr Evans, who also took part in the walk, was raising money to improve the life of his daughter.

They claimed they would have had to cancel the event had he not carried the gun because Star Wars fan group, the 99th Garrison, would not have let him take part with an incomplete outfit.

The 14-mile walk raised £1,763.

It will be added to the £3,000 already generated for an £80,000 project to convert the ground floor of Mr Evans’ home to make it fully accessible for four-year-old Neave.

Mr Evans said: “A police officer pulled us over and said they had reports of someone walking with a firearm. He said he had to call it in to stop us getting stopped further along our journey.

“In hindsight, we should have called the police in advance to tell them what we were doing, but we only found out about the Paris attacks in the morning and it was too late to do anything.

“We raised a fantastic amount of money and the joy that Stephen gave to all the kids that had their picture taken with him was immeasurable. If we all gave up doing things like this because we’re scared of terrorism, then they have won.”

Mr Ball served with the 16 Air Assault Brigade, based at Colchester Garrison.

He carried out tours in Afghanistan with the Colchester brigade before leaving and moving north.