CHRISTMAS in Blackburn and Darwen will be bigger and better than ever, promise councillors.

More than £20,000 worth of new lighting will be put in place, and Blackburn town centre will have its very own “igloo” – a marquee hosting all kinds of festive activities.

Blackburn lights, including £10,000 of new decorations along King Street and King William Street, will be switched on by Jack Shepherd, who plays David Platt in Coronation Street, and Roxanne Pallett, Emmerdale’s Jo Sugden, on November 15.

World superbike champion Carl Fogarty, Blackburn with Darwen Steel Band, and stars from this year’s Christmas pantomime Peter Pan will also take to the stage.

The igloo will open on November 29, and will hold arts workshops and Christmas cooking demonstrations until Christmas Eve.

The annual civic carol concert will be at King George’s Hall on December 7, and the Cathedral will host a firework display and lantern procession on December 17.

In Darwen, the lights switch-on will be on November 22, with a firework display, brass band, Christmas market, fancy dress competition, and announcement of the winner of the Darwen local hero award.

Local Paralympic silver medallist Felicity Coulthard will be the special guest switching on the lights.

Christmas activities will be held in the Market Square and Market Annexe every Saturday up to Christmas following the switch-on, including Santa’s grotto and sleigh, reindeer willow weaving workshops, and face painting.

Coun Michael Law-Riding, executive member for leisure, said: “We are determined to help make both town centres more attractive and welcoming to shoppers and visitors in the festive period and put a smile on people’s faces.”