STU FRANCIS and the cast from the Albert Halls panto Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be switching on the Middlebrook Christmas lights this year.

The event is taking place at 4pm on Thursday, November 22, outside Vue Cinema.

Churches Together will start the celebrations with some festive carols followed by a short sketch by the panto cast and a song from Kristina Castellina, who plays Snow White.

Pupils from schools around Bolton, Bury, Chorley and Wigan who work with the Volunteer Reading Help charity will also be invited to join the stars. The youngsters have taken part in a design a Christmas postcard competition and the winner will be invited on stage for the lights countdown and to flick the switch at 4.45pm.

Father Christmas will then arrive at the celebrations to welcome the children to his grotto for Christmas gifts.

Heather Crank-Ingham, from the Middlebrook retail park, said: “We are looking forward to marking the beginning of Christmas and welcoming Stu Francis and the cast of Snow White to Middlebrook to switch on our Christmas lights along with the local schools associated with the Volunteer Reading Help.”