THERE are just 10 days to go before Leigh lights up for Christmas.

Technical hitches have been overcome to ensure this year's illuminations are going to be the best ever as the 20th century bows out.

Last week Council engineers began erecting the light show.

They were hard at work at Leigh Town Hall when three of the people behind the project, Cllrs Brian Jarvis and Mark Hale and town centres manager Helen Toher, took a close look.

At 5pm on Saturday, November 27, star comedian Ken Dodd will switch on the light show from the Town Hall balcony.

Safety and structural consideration meant originally plans had to be altered and the creative and animated displays relocated.

Amendments mean there will now be 10 light displays across Bradshawgate, two in Ellesmere Street, three in Railway Road, one in King Street, two in Market Street, Lord Street and St Mary's Way and six lit-up lamp posts in Lord Street.

"The Christmas and New Year message will be spelt-out loud and clear at Leigh Town Hall with an animated bottle of bubbly and Christmas and Year 2000 greetings," said Cllr Jarvis.

"It should be the best display we've ever had."

Now the organisers are hoping for a bumper opening as the town gets in festive mood on the Civic Square next weekend with a host of entertainment planned to compliment the Saturday switch-on.

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