Reality TV viewers could help Blackpool to a £50 million illuminations bonanza in an X-Factor-style national contest.

The resort is bidding for a place in The People's Millions, a series which will allocate a 'Living Landmarks' lottery grant of between £25 and £50 million.

Blackpool's urban regeneration company, ReBlackpool, wants to use the cash to transform Blackpool's illuminations into a 'world class' light show, create an arts centre and exhibition space for lighting design and indoor illuminated scenes with historic illuminated trams on show in all weathers.

But intense competition is expected even to make the final shortlist for the ITV programme, which will begin in 2007.

The Living Landmarks bid is one of four major campaigns being highlighted in the new Blackpool 2006 campaign, orchestrated by Blackpool Borough Council, which aims to build public support for regeneration efforts.

Campaign chiefs have earmarked 2006 as a 'make or break' year for the resort, at the end of which it could be looking towards a bright future or going back to the drawing board in its regeneration efforts.

The most immediate campaign covers the historic tram network. A meeting on Friday will decide the transport funding priorities for the north west over the next decade. Blackpool believes it has made a strong technical case for making the revival of the tram network an urgent priority - but faces powerful interests in Liverpool and Manchester which will push for their own schemes.

A final decision is expected by government in March.

At around the same time the council will put in its bid for the UK's only so-called super casino. Blackpool officials laughed off claims from a Birmingham councillor that the resort was already guaranteed the first casino licence and believe strong public support will be needed to beat bigger cities such as Manchester and Glasgow, as well as London's Millennium Dome. A decision is expected in December.

The final part of the campaign relates to a second national lottery bid, also part of the Living Landmarks scheme and worth between £10 million and £25 million which would transform the new-look seafront after sea defence work is completed. Blackpool will learn in May 2006 if either bid is through to the next round - which would see a small proportion of the funding handed over to develop the idea in more detail.

A bright new campaign logo - inspired by the one used in London's 2012 Olympic bid - has been created and will be seen across the town and beyond throughout the year.

Council leader, Cllr Roy Fisher, said: "2006 is a make or break year for Blackpool with a whole host of major decisions being taken which will dramatically affect all our futures.

"It's without a doubt the most important 12 months for over a hundred years and I would urge everyone to get behind this year-long campaign.

"We will be developing different ways in which local people, celebrities and tourists can express their support for Blackpool's aspirations and I would encourage residents to get behind this campaign as it unfolds throughout the year."