AN East Lancashire local authority has launched an online.social media and advertising campaign to make its two town centres the first choice for festive shopping, wining and dining.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's ‘Discover Christmas’ drive seeks to ensure the borough's residents spend their cash in its two retail and entertainment hubs.

It is aimed at promoting local businesses.

Developed with money from the Government’s Levelling-Up programme, the ‘Discover Christmas’ campaign promotes the festive magic of the borough’s two town centres - encouraging residents and visitors to enjoy all there is to offer while supporting the local economy.

As part of the promotion, a dedicated Christmas section of the new Blackburn with Darwen place promotion website - www.discoverbwd.co.uk - has launched.

This new online hub is designed to be a one-stop-shop for all things Christmas in the borough, offering a full guide to what’s on where with guides to festive family fun, shopping for the perfect gifts, date nights, and nights out.

Adverts promoting the campaign will feature in bus stops right across the borough and on the town centre digital screens.

There are new social media accounts for @DiscoverBwD launching on Facebook and digital advertising right across the East Lancashire and North-West region.

Cllr Quesir Mahmood, Blackburn with Darwen Council's growth boss, said: “Christmas is always the perfect time to showcase all that Blackburn with Darwen has to offer.

“From our popular panto at King George’s Hall to skating at Planet Ice, the latest movies at REEL Cinema, shopping in our town centres, fabulous food, nights out and so much more. Plus lots of free events across our town centres too.

"We want our residents and visitors too to see just how much we have to enjoy here in our town centres - including the brand new winter wonderland Firepit Tipis in Cathedral Square, new bars and new restaurants.

"There is so much going on right now and so much to celebrate.

“We’d love Blackburn with Darwen to be your first choice for a festive day and night out - save your money on travelling to the big cities and support our local businesses while discovering Christmas right here in our towns.”

The campaign images feature residents from across Blackburn with Darwen enjoying everything from mulled wine at Darwen Market’s Deli Carlo to Christmas cocktails at The Loom and Shuttle plus the food at Blackburn’s new Saffron Street restaurant.

Local businesses are encouraged to take advantage of the initiative by submitting details of their Christmas events, promotions, and offerings to be featured on the website.