BLACKPOOL town centre is coming alive this Christmas with a host of magical festive events and entertainments.

Santa's Procession sets off from Blackpool North railway station at 2.45pm this Saturday (November 29) ending up outside Pricebusters on Bank Hey Street at 4pm.

Then the Christmas lights switch-on, performed there by celebrity guests Bernie Nolan and Howard Antony and the Radio Wave roadshow, will ignite the atmosphere ready for Blackpool's sparkling season.

And on late-night shopping Thursdays and Sundays throughout December, participating shops and stores will bring on the clowns and the magicians, Punch and Judy, as well as comedians to delight little shoppers.

At British Home Stores from 8am every Saturday until Christmas, starting on Saturday (November 29), children will be able to enjoy the special opportunity of having breakfast with Santa.

In addition, the Salvation Army Band playing on Thursdays and Saturdays will bring the town to life with joyous sounds, as will the town centre open air concert in Victoria Street on December 6 and 7 with tenor Richard Winsborough.

And shoppers will have a chance to join in the singing by dropping in at the United for Christmas Carol Concert in the Hounds Hill Centre from 5.30pm on December 11 or at the Carol Service at St John's Church, on December 21 at 6.30pm.

And, a final chance to sing some carols will be at the Shopper's Christmas Eve Family Carol Service at 4pm, again at St John's Church.

All the fun is made affordable and simple by the free parking available on Thursday evenings, parking for just 50p in Sundays and 1p bus fares for children as well as a town centre shoppers creche.

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