THE eyes of the nation will be on Bolton’s big Christmas lights switch on.

Victoria Square’s festive lights display will play a starring role in a special edition of flagship BBC programme The One Show.

It will be broadcast live from the town’s lights switch on Monday. November 11.

Matt Baker and Alex Jones, presenters of The One Show, will be pedalling into town to be part of the huge event.

The duo will be visiting as part of The One Show’s Rickshaw Challenge for BBC Children in Need — an eight-day challenge that will see a group of riders pedalling a rickshaw around the clock to cover approximately 700 miles.

The Christmas lights switch on will start at 6pm, with The One Show airing from 7pm to 7.30pm.

Matt and Alex — along with a mystery celebrity, yet to be announced — will be there as the switch is flicked.

Alex, who will be taking part in the challenge, said: “The Rickshaw Challenge is going to be one of the toughest things I’ve ever done, and we will all have our work cut out for us.

“Having supported the Rickshaw Challenge before, I know first-hand what a difference the public support can make, so we’re urging the people of Bolton to get behind us and come out to the streets to cheer us on! The Christmas lights are always a brilliant occasion, so it’s fantastic that we’re able to combine it with such a wonderful cause.”

And town hall bosses are urging as many people as possible to come along to cheer on the lights swtich on and the charity challenge.

Cllr Cliff Morris, leader of Bolton Council, said: “We’re really excited to welcome Matt, Alex and all the young riders to Bolton.

“The Rickshaw Challenge is an amazing challenge, which raises millions of pounds for Children in Need and we are thrilled that the One Show is visiting our town and that they have agreed to flick the switch for us this year.

“We’d like to urge as many people as possible to come to the switch on and be part of the amazing atmosphere of the live broadcast.

“We will be pulling out all the stops to make it the most marvellous, magical Christmas lights switch on ever.”

This year’s Rickshaw Challenge will be the biggest to date, with riders visiting all four UK nations.

And the massive switch on is just part of Bolton’s festive fun.

A giant 100ft Ferris wheel, which can seat 144 people, will be set up in Victoria Square from December 12 as part of Bolton Council’s bumper festive package.

From December 12, the wheel will open: Thursday to Saturday from 11am to 7.30pm; Sundays 11am to 5.30pm; Monday to Wednesday from 11am to 5.30pm. The wheel will be open on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day from 11am to 4pm. It will be closed on Christmas Day.

The ride costs: £3.50 for adults; £2 for under-16s, and £2.50 for senior citizens and students.

Family tickets at £7 cover two adults and two children or one adult and three children and can be bought online from visitbolton.com from Monday, October 28, and in person from box offices on Victoria Square when the attractions open.

Other highlights of the town centre festivities include the return of the popular 200 square metre ice rink and a free Santa’s grotto on Victoria Square from November 30.

A speciality market will be held in Newport Street from December 12 to 15, there will be a chance to meet real reindeer and street entertainment will also be laid on to pull in the crowds.

Bolton Market is also looking for quality festive crafts, gifts and decorations traders for a four day speciality market taking place from Thursday, December 12 to Sunday, December 15. Opening times vary and deadline for traders to apply is October 30.

Contact bolton.markets@bolton.gov.uk for more information.