The trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens has been released.

The teaser trailer for the hotly anticipated sci-fi film, the seventh in the Star Wars franchise, was released online and in selected US cinemas today.

It includes shots of stormtrooper, a claymore style lightsaber and the Millenium Falcon.

Original cast members Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Warwick Davis, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Kenny Baker will be joined by Adam Driver, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Lupita Nyong'o, Max von Sydow and Glasgow student Crystal Clarke in the new film.

Watch the trailer below.