Downton Abbey's Rob James-Collier is using the Force to help raise money for charity, by creating a Star Wars spoof video with his co-stars.

The 38-year-old actor - who plays evil butler Thomas in the hit period drama - is running the London Marathon in aid of The Chilterns Multiple Sclerosis Centre. And in a bid to hit his fundraising target of £10,000, he has enlisted his co-stars to create short film Downton Wars: The Phantom Valet.

James-Collier teased the first half of the video on his website evilbutler.com, and has promised to unveil the second instalment when donations reach £10,000.

He said: "If you like people from Downton and/or lightsabers then please - dig deep."

The film begins "A long time ago, in a studio far, far away...", before showing Brendan Coyle as valet Mr Bates running on to the Downton set in a long, flowing black cape.

He meets wife Anna, played by Joanne Froggatt, in the servants' dining room and they have a row about his belief in the "ancient order of the Jedi".

Bates then encounters Thomas in the kitchen corridor and they are about to embark on a lightsaber battle when butler Carson (Jim Carter) interrupts to say that Thomas is needed in the dining room.

The video ends "To be continued...?"

If James-Collier hits his target, he has promised to release Downton Wars Part 2: The Evil Butler Strikes Back.