REALITY TV star Carol Thatcher will be the guest of honour as Blackburn aims to set a world record.

The daughter of former Prime Minister Lady Margaret Thatch-er will be the celebrity face of the town’s bid to have the largest number of people called Carol gathered in the same place at the same time.

The record attempt is part of Blackburn Town Centre Partner-ship’s programme of events in the run up to Christmas and organisers have their sights set on the Guinness Book of Records.

The partnership, made up of public and private sector partners, has paid £2,000 to secure Carol’s appearance.

A spokesman said: “We wanted someone who was keen to go the extra mile and get into the spirit of the day. Carol Thatcher is a great sport. She hasn’t got anything to plug, she just wants to come and have fun.”

Carol gained fame after winning ITV’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here in 2005.

Phil Ainsworth, owner of Ainsworth Jewellers and a member of the town centre partnership, said: “We want as many people as possible with the name Carol or variant of the name to come along.

“There is a prominent Polish and Czech community in Black-burn and the North West, so we would love any Karols or Karels to get involved too. The Guinness Book of Records attempt is a bit of Christmas fun, but provides people with another reason to visit Blackburn during the festive season.”

Coun Michael Lee, Blackburn’s executive member for resources, said: “Hopefully this will be money well spent.

“Carol Thatcher has a national profile and anything we can do to boost trade in Blackburn is worthwhile.”

Opposition councillor Andy Kay said: “I think this event is likely to attract people to the town and is likely to be money well spent.”

The record breaking Carol gathering will be on December 6, from 11am and there will be an adjudicator from the famous book of records there. Any Carols helping with the record attempt will need to bring along photo ID in order to count.