The release of Star Wars: Episode VIII has been delayed until the end of 2017, Disney has announced.

The next installment of Star Wars saga was due to go on global release in May 2017 but instead will not be aired until the following December.

The new movie will follow The Force Awakens, which is still showing and has become the biggest-grossing movie in US history.

In the five weeks since its release, The Force Awakens has earned $861 million in the US and $1.88 billion globally.

Disney did not say why Star Wars: Episode VIII had been delayed but there had been speculation that the script was being rewritten.

Production is set to begin next month at Pinewood Studios, west of London.

The new release date means Episode VIII could come up against another long-awaited blockbuster, Avatar 2, which is set for Christmas 2017 but could be further delayed.

Despite the bad news concerning the postponement, Star Wars fans have the consolation of the spin-off Rogue One, which is due out in December 2016.