CHRISTMAS comes to Leigh with a bang next Thursday when a light show and firework display herald the start of the festive season.

Honorary Leyther and the Knotty Ash professor of fun, comedian Ken Dodd, will once again throw the switch to light up the town.

He will be joined by Leigh Centurions' Director of Rugby, Alex Murphy who, like Doddy, will have the honorary title bestowed upon him for his services to the town.

TV star Will Travis, of Emmerdale, Where the Heart Is and Casualty fame is also on the VIP list, along with the Mayor and Mayoress and Lord Smith of Leigh.

Event co-ordinator Cllr Brian Jarvis wants to see the town hall square packed with thousands of fans and is appealing to people to turn out in force.

The Town Centre Management Group chairman said: "This year's event should be bigger and better than ever. We hope it can be seen from Wigan where they'll have nothing like this. It is a big day for Leigh and I am hoping we can arrange for a bell ringer at the church to join the celebrations."

Fun starts in the afternoon with a children's fair and street entertainment with a disco and free chocolates.

Santa in a horse-drawn sleigh will lead a parade from Spinning Gate to the town hall where the town crier will announce dignitaries before the 6pm light up.

Then the sleigh will lead the procession back to Spinning Gate where activities will continue to coincide with the start of Leigh's late-night shopping season.