Anyone who thought Luke Skywalker was the last of the Jedi is wrong - there are almost 6,500 in Brighton and Hove.

The ancient force of good, whose battles with Darth Vader and the evil Empire in the Star Wars films have become a worldwide favourite, has more disciples in the city per head of population than anywhere else in the country.

And it was not characters such as Luke, Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi leading the recruitment campaign but an emailer who urged believers to state in their 2001 census forms Jedi was their religion.

It falsely said if 10,000 people chose Jedi it would become a "fully recognised and legal religion" after stating: "Do it because you love Star Wars or just to annoy people."

A total of 6,480 people in the city, 2.6 per cent of the population compared to a national average of 0.7 per cent, heeded the call.

Neil Cains, 25, an advertising executive, was one who signed up. He said: "I did because I thought it was a laugh. I like the idea that if enough people say something stupid to the Government they have to record it."

Another Jedi, who is known simply as Kate, said: "I did it as a joke. It's interesting to see how word of mouth and email spread throughout the country."

City council leader Ken Bodfish said: "I'm impressed to see we have so many born-again Jedi here and suspect it may have something to do with a high student population."

Of the 390,000 people across the country who chose Jedi as their religion, 15,912 come from Sussex.

Far from being unhappy with people mocking the system, the Office for National Statistics is pleased with the results.

Director of reporting and analysis John Pullinger said: "Census agencies worldwide report difficulties encouraging those in their late teens and 20s to complete their forms.

"We suspect the Jedi response was most common in precisely this age group. The campaign may well have encouraged people to complete their forms and help us get the best possible overall response."

Other statistics show Brighton and Hove has one of the highest numbers of people living alone in the country, the city ranks eighth out of 376 council areas in the UK for single-person households.

The city is number one in the UK for unmarried cohabiting couples - 11.5 per cent.

With only 36.5 per cent of people aged over 16 married or remarried, Brighton and Hove is second lowest of the South-East.

Three per cent of homes are vacant compared with seven per cent in 1991.

Fewer households, 36.5 per cent, have a car , with the city ranked 38th lowest nationally and lowest in the South-East.

It also has the highest rate of people using public transport to travel to work in the South-East.

About nine per cent work mainly from home.

Predictably the largest ethnic group is white (94.3 per cent). The largest ethnic minority group is Indian at 0.9 per cent.

Coun Bodfish said: "The high proportion of single-person households partly explains property price rises in recent years.

"There are pleasing figures on use of public transport, showing people will consider alternatives to the car, where there is an one."

There had been reports at the time of the census that classifying yourself as a Jedi would lead to prosecution but this is unlikely for two reasons. Firstly, the religion question was voluntary, secondly, at 390,000, there are far too many Jedi in the country to be arrested. The Force, clearly, is with them.