FEARS are growing that a town could be moving over to the dark side after two sightings of a mysterious character wearing a Darth Vader mask - and false breasts.

He or she was also seen in women's underwear.

Police are not sure if the person is a male or a female and say it could be nothing more sinister than someone on their way to a fancy dress party.

But they have warned that the person could be involved in sexual activity.

The first report was made by a 16-year-old girl who was walking along Iddison Drive, in Bedale, North Yorkshire, at 9pm on Tuesday last week.

Police said she saw the person as she passed a path leading to Fitzalan Road.

He or she was wearing a red face mask in the style of Star Wars villain Darth Vader and some kind of costume, which included the fake breasts.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "The person did not say or do anything, but gave the 16-year-old girl quite a shock, and she ran home."

Two days later, a resident called from Fitzalan Road to report a second sighting at the same time on Tuesday night. He said his children had seen a man wearing a mask and women's underwear.

The spokesman continued: "Bedale police recall dealing with a similar report to this about a year ago, also in this area, also around this time of the evening. The man responsible was not found.

"It may be that this person was not up to anything sinister - on his way to a rather odd fancy dress party, for instance.

"Or it might be he is involved in some kind of sexual activity, and if so, we need to put a stop to it for two reasons - it is alarming local people and it could perhaps be the precursor of something more serious."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 60 60 247.