THE town centre will be transformed into a sparkling seasonal attraction from tomorrow.

A giant 55-metre artificial snow slide will be opened in Newport Street, a covered ice rink and a nativity scene will be in Victoria Square, plus a Santa’s grotto in Oxford Street.

The council has arranged the special Christmas programme, which will run until January 8, to attract thousands of visitors and boost town centre trade over the festive period.

The University of Bolton has sponsored the slide and the town’s first covered ice rink is sponsored by Market Place Shopping Centre.

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Lynda Byrne will officially launch the festival at 11.30am.

At 11.45am a camel parade, with three kings bearing gifts, will then lead guests to the Market Place for a performance by the Rock Choir in the Vaults, after which the attractions will open to the public from 1pm onwards.

A Christmas artisan market with a vintage bus bar and 40 traders selling a range of produce is also on Deansgate until Sunday.

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Cliff Morris said: “There is something for everyone to enjoy in our Christmas programme.

“People can do their shopping, have a great day out and park for free this Christmas in Bolton.”

University of Bolton Vice Chancellor, Professor George Holmes, added: “As members of the Bolton family we are delighted to support this event and what could be more fun than a snow slide?”

Market Place Centre manager, Nikki Wilson-Cook, said: “We’re really proud to be sponsoring the ice rink at this year’s Bolton Winter Festival. It’s one of the most eagerly anticipated attractions of the year and creates such a wonderful atmosphere in the heart of the town - adding to the increasingly great social, leisure and shopping offer available to customers.

The free Santa’s Express Train will also be running on Sundays, from 10am to 4pm, until December 18. Two reindeer will also be on Victoria Square near Santa’s Grotto, on Sunday, and on Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18, from 11am to 3pm.

Free parking is in operation weekdays after 3pm at Deane Road, Topp Way and the Octagon multi-storey car parks until Friday, January 6.

Free parking is also available all day Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays.