A SELECTION box of talent will be unwrapped at this year’s Christmas lights switch-on which will be performed by Jason and Laura Kenny.

Crowds will be treated to free performances from bands The Other Dudes, Britain’s Got Talent's Ella Shaw and The X Factor’s Christian Burrows, from Bolton.

Ella, aged 19, from Blackburn, wowed the judges on Britain’s Got Talent in 2015 and has just released her debut album, Imperfections, in September.

Meanwhile Christian, aged 19, made it to the judges’ house of this year’s X Factor, after impressing them in auditions with his own composition about his brother who died.

There will also be performances, from 5pm, by Bolton Children’s Workshop and Bolton Baton Twirlers, who are regular performers at the switch-on and new this year is local group Dance Fusion, a group of young dancers from Tonge Moor.

Following the evening’s entertainment, guests and performers will welcome the arrival of Father Christmas and an expanded festive parade, before Bolton’s golden couple Jason and Laura Kenny perform the switch-on at 7pm next Thursday.

The parade leaves Churchgate at 5.45pm and arrives in Victoria Square at about 6.20pm.

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Cliff Morris said: “We are extremely pleased to give our young musicians the opportunity to showcase their talents.

“We’ve got an extremely talented and varied line-up this year, with a number of acts who are already making their way in the music world.

"Existing fans — and new ones — are in for a treat.”

The event will end with a spectacular fireworks display from the roof of the town hall.

Nikki Wilson-Cook, Market Place Shopping Centre manager said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Christmas Lights Switch-on. It promises to be an evening of family entertainment.

“We also hope to see lots of families at the Market Place before or after the lights switch-on.”

Late night opening in the town’s shops will also start on November 17, so people can do their Christmas shopping.

For all the build-up and action at Bolton’s Christmas light switch-on, follow the council on Twitter @Boltoncouncil and use the hashtag #BoltonXmasLights

For more details about the Winter Festival go to visitbolton.com/winterfestival.