Carrie Hope Fletcher, Adam Garcia and Jason Donovan in The War of the Worlds: first look photos

Production images have been released for the upcoming 40th anniversary UK tour of Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds.

Based on the hit novel by HG Wells and Wayne's iconic album, the stadium tour features a 35-foot tall Martian Machine, with fire effects, while Wayne conducts the nine-piece Black Smoke Band and 36-piece ULLAdubULLA Strings. Stage and screen star Liam Neeson plays The Journalist via 3D holography.

Jason Donovan returns to the role of Parson Nathaniel alongside Carrie Hope Fletcher as Beth, his wife. Adam Garcia plays The Artilleryman, Newton Faulkner plays The Sung Thoughts of The Journalist, Inglorious frontman Nathan James will play The Voice of Humanity, with Anna-Marie Wayne reprising her role as Carrie.

Wayne's album first premiered in 1978, and is now the 40th best-selling album of all time. A five-hour Audible version of the show is in the works, featuring a new story and content with a cast including Michael Sheen, Taron Egerton and Ade Edmondson.

The tour opens on 1 December in Newcastle, before visiting cities up and down the UK until 17 December.