THE extra investment in Darwen’s Christmas events has been welcomed by traders and councillors.

It has been revealed that Darwen will get a share of more than £20,000 of new lighting and councillors have promised that this year’s lights switch-on on November 22 will be better than ever.

There will be a firework display, brass band, Christmas market, fancy dress competition, and announcement of the winner of the Darwen Local Hero award.

Local Paralympic silver medallist Felicity Coulthard will be the special guest switching on the lights.

Christmas activities will be held in the Market Square and Market Annexe every Saturday up to Chris-tmas following the switch-on, including Santa’s Grotto and sleigh, reindeer willow weaving workshops, and face painting.

Eileen Guy, chair of Darwen Shop and Business Association said: “I think it’s superb. It is what people have been calling for for many, many years.

“The plans sound excellent, but we will have to see what they look like.

“I hope the people of Darwen appreciate the new lights. Hopefully it will encourage more people into the town centre.”

Denise Gee, president of Darwen Chamber of Trade, said: “We embrace any investment into Darwen town centre. We look forward to a great lights switch-on and hopefully a lot of people will turn out for it.”

Coun Dave Hollings, of Sunny-hurst ward, said: “Any extra investment into Darwen up to Christmas is good.

We want to attract more trade into the town centre and I am pleased we are going to get bigger and better lights.

“It’s important to support events such as these and I hope it gives the area a boost.”

Coun Julie Slater said: “I’m looking forward to seeing the new lights because they have been sparse in the last few years. I hope that it will make the event more atmospheric and get more people to the town centre because they need all the help they can get.”

Coun Michael Law-Riding, executive member for leisure, said: “We are determined to help make both town centres more attractive and welcoming to shoppers and visitors in the festive period.”