BLACKPOOL town centre has a cracker of a Christmas season lined up and the festivities will get off to a tree-mendous start on November 22.

The celebrations will start at 6.30pm with the switch-on of the Christmas lights and the opening of the Christmas ice rink, market and fairground in the Winter Gardens. Ice skates are available for those who fancy a festive glide around the ice.

Santa will team up with Bart Simpson and some of the cast of the Grand Theatre's Rent to switch on the lights and at the same time traditional carols and Christmas celebrations will take place round the large Christmas tree that will go up outside St John's Church.

This will herald the start of the late night Thursday shopping evenings until 9pm. And to get shoppers in the festive mood there will be traditional carols and music throughout the town centre and Thursday evening radio Wave roadshows from the Hounds Hill shopping centre during the lead-up to Christmas.

Free parking will be on offer in some town centre car parks for late night Thursday shopping from November 22 until Christmas, with 50p all-day parking operating on Sundays.

And Blackpool Transport are set to unveil a Metro offer on return bus journeys -- further details will be revealed later in the month.

In addition there will be fantastic shows, pantomimes and a Christmas circus to enjoy as well as great street and in-store entertainment.

Full details of Blackpool's fabulous festive events are set out in a free Christmas guide available in town centre stores and shops, libraries and other outlets. Details can also be found on the town centre website, www.forum@blackpool-town-centre.org.uk.

CAN you support the rink? Blackpool Town Centre Forum is inviting registered charities and voluntary, non-profit-making groups to support this year's Christmas ice rink and at the same time to raise funds for their organisations.

The forum is looking for responsible volunteers to man the rink at agreed times between November 22 and the end of December, in return for a contribution to their organisation based on the number of hours put in.

Interested parties should contact town centre manager Nigel Hanson on (01253) 292486 for more details.