A LIVE 'mermaid' will be hoping to hook traders and shoppers into supporting next month’s Blackburn Heritage Festival when she makes an appearance at the town’s market tomorrow.

The special performance by the ‘living mermaid’ will be at Mayers Fishmongers from 5pm on Blackburn Market.

Festival organisers want people to join the crowd with a phone to generate a social media buzz and create a viral marketing stunt.

They hope 25,000 people will attend the Blackburn Heritage Festival, to be opened by former Coronation Street star Peter Gunn, on the weekend of September 13 and 14.

Organiser Harriett Roberts said: “We are joining in with Heritage Open Days across the UK, so a wide range of fascinating buildings and spaces will be open free to the public where dedicated local volunteers will be bringing history to life through archive displays and presentations.”