A TOWN centre is set to buzz with Christmas spirit this weekend.

Blackburn is set for a bumper day of Christmas shopping and fun with festive food and drink on Saturday.

Blackburn Market and the Blackburn Business Improvement District have joined forces to bring an extra helping of festive fun by adding around 40 pop-up stalls to the market.

There will also with the amazing choice of great food on the market's very own food court, around 20 extra food and drink stalls with everything from churros to hot cocktails.

David Smith, manager of Blackburn Market said: “Christmas is a busy time on Blackburn Market and we are now open right through to Christmas Eve, including Sundays.

"The Party on the Market will bring an even wider choice for shoppers this Saturday including free family fun. We have lots to choose from including a giant snow globe, Santa's stage and free face painting.”

Harriet Roberts, manager of Blackburn BID, added: “We're adding a marquee to the side of the market on Church Street to accommodate the demand for stalls, with a Street Food Feast on Ainsworth Street, next to the bus station. We are excited for a fabulous fun day out based in and around the market.”

The event runs all day from 10am on Saturday, December 9 and includes around 20 additional food and drink stalls to add to the fabulous choice in the market.

Free children's fun includes, a giant sleigh, snow globe, rodeo reindeer, elf face painting, Santa's very own entertainment stage and lots of walkabout character to meet and greet. There will also be a few children's rides, and some charges may apply.

The following weekend, Darwen town centre will host an ice rink as part of a special Christmas fair.

It runs from Friday December 15 to Sunday, December 17 and their will be fairground rides and the market will be open for shopping.