FORMER Boyzone heartthrob Keith Duffy will be lighting up the town at the Mill Gate Shopping Centre's big Christmas switch-on.

The pop-star turned actor, who recently played sneaky sailor Ciaran McCarthy in Coronation Street, is the centre's special guest on Sunday, November 17.

As well as flicking the switch to bring festive cheer to malls, Keith will be meeting fans and signing autographs.

He arrives at the centre at 2pm, in plenty of time for the big switch-on of more than 7,000 lights at 3.30pm.

Pantomime characters from Bury Met Theatre's production of Peter Pan will also be flying in, with Santa himself riding in to hand out chocolate goodies.

Children's entertainment and face-painting will all be adding to the festive magic.

The event launches the centre's additional shopping hours running until December 29. Sunday shopping is extended an extra hour from 10.30am to 4.30pm, with shopping until 8pm every Wednesday, starting from November 20.