Pop singers set for Blackburn and Darwen's Christmas lights switch-ons (From This Is Lancashire)

Pop singers set for Blackburn and Darwen's Christmas lights switch-ons

10:50am Tuesday 27th October 2009 in

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BOYBAND star Simon Webbe will be the star attraction at Blackburn’s Christmas lights switch-on next month.

The Blue favourite has been booked to appear outside the town hall on Saturday, November 14.

Meanwhile, former X Factor star Chico will be switching on Darwen’s festive lights a week later. And an ice rink will again be set up in Darwen this year from December 19 to 21.

As revealed by the Lancashire Telegraph, the centrepiece of Blackburn’s festive attractions will be a 100ft big wheel, to be set up in King William Street throughout December.

Council bosses insist more lights will be in place this Christmas than in previous years, and firm are banking on the events to give trade.

Both events are costing Blackburn with Darwen Council a total of £21,100.

A spokesman for Simon Webbe’s management company would not reveal the fee to be paid to the 31-year-old heart-throb, who is back performing with his old bandmates as well as pursuing a solo career.

Chico, who reached the quarter finals of X Factor in 2005, will command a fee of between £4,000 and £5,000 for his Darwen gig, his managers said.

Blackburn and Darwen’s events are being organised with The Bee radio station.

Jeweller Phil Ainsworth, of Blackburn town centre partnership board, said: “It is something the council has to do. Hopefully it will be a big night.

“It’s the launch of a Christmas period that has to work for the town, and it’s important to attract people to see what’s going on.”

Clitheroe’s switch-on takes place on December 1. A “local celebrity” has been promised, with details to be revealed soon.

Accrington is set to be lit up on November 19, but nobody at the council was available to give details.