64-year-old Harrison Ford has claimed that age is no obstacle to his return to the role of Indiana Jones.

Speaking at the Rome Film Festival on Friday, Ford said: "We need to move on for artistic reasons and obvious physical reasons, (but) I feel fit to continue and bring the same physical action."

With the script by Jurassic Park scribe David Koepp still undergoing changes, Ford is keen for Sir Sean Connery to reprise his paternal role as Dr Henry Jones. "He's part of the emotional fabric of these films," said Ford. "I believe that Sean is still willing and I'd be delighted if he joined us."

Filming is planned to take place early next year with a release date of Summer 2008.