SANTA Claus is coming to town tomorrow to launch the festive season in Blackburn.

Shopping centre bosses are bringing Father Christmas back to Blackburn after an absence of several years and a special procession is planned.

The march through the centre of town starts at the Cathedral will finish with the switch-on of the Christmas lights at the town hall.

Father Christmas will be joined by characters from the ice panto at King George's Hall, a five piece band and a Laurel and Hardy lookalike duo.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn, Peter and Dorothy Greenwood, will also be at the event along with dancers from Utopia nightclub and mounted police. The march gets under way at 6pm tomorrow and lighting-up is at 6.30pm.

Shopping centre manager Eamonn Furlong said: "We want as many people as possible to come along and have a good time.

"Father Christmas will be in his grotto in the shopping centre from Wednesday evening right the way through to Christmas."

Late night shopping on Wednesday evenings starts from this week and will be extended to Thursdays throughout December.

Darwen's lights will be switched on Monday, November 24, at 5.45pm by the mayor.

The Civic Carol Service at King George's Hall is on Sunday, December 14, and tickets are available from the hall.

The annual Lancashire Evening Telegraph festive carol service and firework display is planned for Wednesday, December 17.

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