The threat of Islamic State (ISIS) to tourists in Tunisia means Star Wars fans have been told to avoid a popular attraction because of the real threat of attack or kidnap by the terrorist group.

The desert town of Tataouine – the inspiration for Luke Skywalker’s home planet in the Star Wars movie franchise – is less than 60 miles from the Libyan border, home to 4,000 ISIS militants.

The UK’s Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel in the Tataouine area, also advising against all travel in the south of Tunisia. In its warning, the Foreign Office said: “There is a high threat from terrorism, including kidnapping. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners,” highlighting the recent ISIS terrorist attack at the Bardo Museum on 18 March, which claimed 23 lives.

Tataouine is one of the most popular locations to visit in the north African country by fans of the Star Wars movies. Recently, however, it has become known that the town had become a stop-off for ISIS on the way to training bases in Libya.