Thunderbirds Premiere Is Go!

Stars of the movie version of children's science-fiction series Thunderbirds greeted fans at the UK premiere of the film.

And just in case the line up of star names was not enough, there was also a rather large pink car on display...

Director and former Star Trek star Jonathan Frakes replaced the puppets with a live cast to recreate the adventures of the secretive Tracy family and International Rescue.

Oscar-winner Ben Kingsley, who plays arch-enemy The Hood, said his children had urged him to take part in the film.

"I told my children I was considering doing it, because I'd read the script," Kingsley told Sky News from the premiere in Leicester Square.

"They were unequivocal, they said 'Dad you've got to do it.' I'm very glad I did."

Ben, who won the 1982 Oscar for his performance as Gandhi, posed for fans next to the six-wheeled pink car owned by aristocratic British spy, Lady Penelope, played in the film by Sophia Myles.

The film waved goodbye to the props and strings employed in the TV series, replacing them with extensive computer graphics.

Bill Paxton and Anthony Edwards also star in the film, which is released in the UK on July 23rd.