A town's Christmas lights switch on will be headlined by chart-topping 1990 dance group N-Trance.

The Oldham band - most famous for the Platinum-selling single "Set You Free" - will be the main attraction of the annual seasonal festivities in Darwen on Saturday, November 18.

One of the biggest selling UK dance acts of the 90s, N-Trance also had hits with covers of the 1970s disco songs "Stayin' Alive", "D.I.S.C.O.", "Shake Ya Body", and "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?".

They had 14 charting singles in the UK between 1994 and 2004.

Last year saw record crowds fill Darwen Market Square for the event, and this year organiser Crafty Vintage is working with Blackburn with Darwen Council and Darwen Town Council to make it even better.

There will be live entertainment right through from 11am into the early evening with visits from Father Christmas, a special 40-minute performance from the cast of King George’s Hall’s panto Aladdin, plus more singing, dancing and the lights switch on.

The festive fun will stretch up Bridge Street with dancing elves, singing and outdoor character performances, as well as the return of the Christmas markets with a selection of food, drink and stalls filled with gift ideas.

Cllr Quesir Mahmood, Blackburn with Darwen Council's growth boss, said: “What an event this will be!

“The Christmas lights switch on is always one of the most popular events in the Darwen calendar and thousands and thousands of people turn out each year with record crowds in 2022.

“Already, the line-up is looking really good – lots of fun for all the family and N-Trance are sure to get the Christmas party started.

“We work hard every year to put on a really good event for Darwen."

Brass ravers, Mr Wilson’s Second Liners – regulars at Manchester’s Freight Island and the Trafford Centre - are new to the line-up for 2023 Their playlist celebrates the Hacienda and 90s club culture.

Introducing the acts will be compere Kiki DeVille.

Leader of Darwen Town Council, Councillor Kevin Connor, said: “We’re always proud to support the Darwen Christmas Lights Switch On – it gets bigger and better every single year.

“Based on feedback, this year we’ve asked for the entertainment to stretch up Bridge Street too which is an added bonus."

Laura Johnson, from Crafty Vintage said: “The bar has been set incredibly high for the Darwen Christmas Light Switch On in recent years and we’ve had brilliant feedback.

“The festive markets have been a fantastic addition and have meant we can run the event right throughout the afternoon and later into the evening too."