A new trailer for Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens gives fans a first glimpse of Han Solo and Chewbacca.

Harrison Ford, who plays space smuggler Han Solo, last appeared in a Star Wars movie more than 30 years ago when Return of the Jedi was released in 1983.

The footage from Episode VII was included in a trailer shown at an official fan convention in California.

The Force Awakens is set for release on December 18 and is the first in a new series of the sci-fi franchise.

The event was also streamed live on the internet.

Harrison Ford, 72, is still recovering after crashing his plane onto a golf course and was unable to attend the Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim.

Original trilogy actors Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, who also return after three decades as Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia in The Force Awakens, were on stage to answer fans’ questions.

Mark Hamill paid tribute to the franchise’s supporters.

“Over the years, all my entire life, I’ve felt such love from you,” he told the thousands in the audience.

“You’re more than just fans. You’re family.”

Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher were joined by other cast members, including Daisy Ridley and John Boyega.

The relatively unknown Daisy Ridley, speaking for the first time about her role in Star Wars as a scavenger called Rey, described her as “very solitary until she meets another character and an adventure begins”.

She added: “[I] cannot wait to show you guys what we’ve done.”

John Boyega said he was excited but also nervous.

“I was scared to tell my parents that I’d got the part of Finn”, he admitted.

He added he had only told them once the official casting announcement had been made.

Director JJ Abrams was also on the special panel which launched the four-day Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim.