BLACKBURN'S countdown to Christmas continued as the Thwaites star was switched on.

The annual event took place on Monday at the company's brewery in Blackburn town centre.

As part of Thwaites's 200th birthday celebrations, the company has chosen the British Heart Foundation as its designated charity for the year.

Five staff and a customer who have either been affected by heart disease or who have had relatives who have suffered heart problems were chosen to switch on the star.

They were David Gardner, a sales manager for Thwaites; Sharon McKay, who works in accounts; Ian Neville, from technical services and Marjorie Frankland and Bob Dugdale, who work in the property department.

Thwaites customer Dorothy Gee, stewardess of Rosegrove Unity Working Men's Club, Burnley, also helped in the ceremony.

Paul Baker, managing director of Thwaites and Mr Hearty, the British Heart Foundation's mascot, also attended the event.