NINE Christmas trees will be dotted across Blackburn with Darwen as the council gears up for the festive season.

King William Street and the Cathedral Quarter in Blackburn, as well as Darwen Markets, will be the base for 36ft tall spruce trees, while smaller trees will be placed at other sites.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is looking to award a contract for the supply of UK-grown Christmas trees for the festive period 2018, which includes the three 36ft spruces and six 26-30ft spruces.

The contract will include all administration, harvesting and logistics, transport and traffic management, installation, dismantle/removal and recycling.

Tockholes village hall and The Green in Darwen will also have trees.

One will be placed at Hoddlesden Memorial Gardens while another will be located opposite Barlow Institute in Edgworth.

Church Lawn in Chapeltown will have a tree and the final location will be Belmont Field.

Installation should be at the beginning of November with dismantling on or by January 6.

The council tender document states: “Contractor will be responsible for installation and securing all trees, with support by council staff to help with locations and route.

“Installation would normally start at 3am in the early hours to avoid busy periods in the town centres and continue throughout the day to ensure trees are installed within a 24-hour period.

“Some trees will require base blocks."

The document adds is anticipated the contract will start on November 1 2018, with a preferred delivery date of November 8.

“This contract is for provision of trees for 2018 only. The council reserves the right to extend the contract for a further year.”