SHOPPERS visiting Blackburn are being treated to a colourful winter wonderland.

For the town centre streets and shopping centre are awash with bright lights and decorations as the countdown for Christmas begins.

Thanks to a new three-year deal, town centre shoppers are being wowed with a dazzling display of Christmas decorations centred around the King William Street area -- all based on a Continental theme. The shopping centre has also adopted the theme of white lights to decorate trees, stars and chandelier decorations in the malls.

Celebrity singer Peter Andre visited the town last month to help launch the official light-up, despite being held up by traffic and bad weather.

Tony Fitzgerald, Town Centre Manager, said: "We have secured a three-year deal to purchase new equipment which at first will be concentrated around the King William St area of Blackburn and Market Square area of Darwen.

"We interviewed three companies and opted in the end for Scottish firm Blachere who have supplied cities such as Glasgow and Manchester. The lights are smaller and white and more resistant giving a quality Continental feel which we believe is appropriate."