Image copyright Lucasfilm Image caption The trailer, beginning with a shot of British actor John Boyega, reveals little about the plot

The first trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens has been unveiled online and in US cinemas.

It gives fans an 88-second glimpse of the new film, the first new addition to the series since 2005.

Featuring shots of the Millennium Falcon, it also offers the first look of a new cross-shaped lightsaber.

The film, which reunites original stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher is scheduled to be released in cinemas on 18 December 2015.

Image copyright Lucasfilm Image caption A new droid is featured

The trailer opens with a sweeping desert landscape, with a voice saying: "There has been an awakening, have you felt it?", before British star John Boyega appears wearing a Stormtrooper uniform.

It goes on to feature a football-like droid, a Stormtrooper army and fellow British star Daisy Ridley on a type of speeder bike.

Image copyright Lucasfilm Image caption A Stormtrooper army is seen preparing for battle

Image copyright Lucasfilm Image caption British actress Daisy Ridley also stars in the JJ Abrams film

Image copyright Lucasfilm Image caption Fans were able to see a new type of speeder bike

A hooded villain is seen walking through a snowy wood with the new lightsaber, along with shots of X-Wing and Tie Fighters, before the Millennium Falcon sweeps across the sky.

Image copyright Lucasfilm Image caption A pilot - who some speculate is Oscar Isaac - flies an X-Wing fighter

Image copyright Lucasfilm Image caption A new cross-shaped lightsaber was revealed

Image copyright Lucasfilm Image caption The trailer ends with Tie Fighters pursuing the Millennium Falcon

According to Time, one cinema in Austin, Texas, is playing the trailer in a separate standalone screening 17 consecutive times.

Each screening will be followed by two minutes of discussion by a panel of Star Wars experts.

The seventh instalment of the sci-fi saga is set about 30 years after the events of Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi.