WITH only 66 days to go until Christmas council crews are already busy unwrapping the decorations

But what exactly are the people of East Lancashire getting this year? Evening Telegraph reporter SONJA KARLSEN went to find out.

IN a bid to make it a merrier Christmas for town centre shoppers, Blackburn with Darwen council today announced plans for improved lighting in most parts of the borough.

The first sets of lights have been hung across Darwen street and rows of bright lights are to be installed in King William Street, the Boulevard, Northgate, Town Hall Street, New Market Street, Church Street, Penny and Ainsworth Street, around the market and at various other town centre locations.

Executive member for Blackburn regeneration, Councillor Ashley Whalley, said: "We are looking to cover a similar area to last year but with an improved set of lights in almost every area."

The council has also invited Rovers' manager Graeme Souness to light up the town on Saturday November 18 at 6.30pm.

Engineering services manager for Pendle Council, Brian Holmes, said new decorations and lighting had been ordered and hoped they would be delivered at the end of this week. He said: "We had a very difficult year last year because we had to comply with a new electrical code of conduct but this year we are hopeful that we will be able to provide a better display."

Burnley shoppers have also been guaranteed an extra special Christmas with various alterations to last year's decorations. The council started putting up the decorations last week and have issued a new illuminated motif to be put up between Yates' Wine Lodge and the White Hart pub and will install festoon lighting in the pedestrian area between the White Lion pub and the Swan.

Lighting engineer for Burnley council Paul Buckley said: "How the shoppers perceive it remains to be seen. What we can say is that the people of Burnley will not be getting anything less than they normally do." Hyndburn council also announced new plans for this year's decorations, with a budget of £47,000 to decorate the streets of Accrington.

The main difference will be improved lighting on Broadway and a switch on.

People can see Padiham girl-band, Bliss, between 6pm to 6.30pm on Thursday November 16, followed by a school choir and Boys' Brigade band.

While there were no clear plans for Rossendale, chairman of the council's leisure committee, Jimmy Eaton, said: "We are limited on money but we are going down one or two different avenues pursuing different options."

There will be no hidden surprises for Clitheroe shoppers though, who will be forced to make do with last year's arrangements of decorative small trees outside business premises in the town and two large trees posted outside the castle and the library.