PEOPLE are being invited to help light up Bolton this Christmas by taking making special lanterns this weekend to use during the official Christmas lights switch on.

Bolton's first light parade will take place during the Christmas Lights switch on Thursday, November 16.

This year the honour has been bestowed to comic Paddy McGuinness.

A lantern-making workshop will take place on the first floor of the Market Place Shopping Centre on Sunday between 1pm and 5pm. It is free and the lanterns can be made to represent community groups or companies will be part of the new parade.

In the future it is hoped that the parade will develop into a standalone occasion to celebrate the community.

Those wishing to attend can RSVP to Steve Bailey steve.bailey@bolton.gov.uk or drop- in on the day.

Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58SmJ09EXE4 to get a taste of the lanterns which will be made.