FORMER Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh will top the bill of a weekend of events to celebrate the opening of Accrington new town square and remember the end of the First World War.

The two days of activity will begin at 11am on Saturday November 10.

The first event will be the official opening of Accrington’s new Town Square complete with new seasonal planters in place.

A new lighting scheme to illuminate the Town Hall and Market Hall once darkness falls.

The Market Hall will host a vintage fair with themed food and craft stalls and an exhibition featuring the ‘Extraordinary Women of Accrington’ during the day.

The weekend has been entitled 'Amazing Accrington'.

On Sunday November 11, the centenary of The Armistice ending the First World War will local people taking part in ‘Battle’s Over, a Nation’s Tribute’ which begin at 6am outside Accrington Town Hall when a lone piper will play.

At 10.45am a Service of Remembrance will be held at the Cenotaph in Accrington’s Oak Hill Park, followed by a parade to the Town Hall at 11.30am.

At 2pm, Ms Hesmondhalgh will lead a special reading of the Accrington Pals play in the Town Hall ballroom. The performance is free.

At 6.55pm a lone bugler will play the Last Post and at 7pm beacons of light will shine from the Town Hall balcony whilst local churches ring their bells for peace.

From 7:30pm Accrington Market Hall will become the canvas for a 3D projection of the story of Accrington.

Hyndburn Council Leader, Cllr Miles Parkinson, said; “This is a big weekend."