LEIGH residents are set for a Christmas present when the town’s rugby league heroes switch on this year’s festive lights.

The switch on takes place on Thursday November 19 at 5pm to 7pm.

It kicks off with the talented musical children of Westleigh High School Band performing followed by musical performances from the Birchall Duo, local singer Zoe Unsworth and Christmas panto fun from the Turnpike Players.

Atherton singer Martin Finn, who featured on BBC3’s Autistic Superstars will also have the chance to sing to the crowds.

Leigh Centurions will then come on stage to thank fans for their support this season and speak about their hopes for next season.

Their boss Paul Rowley will have the honour of switching on the lights along with the Mayor of Wigan Borough Councillor Susan Loudon.

The Christmas lights are funded by Wigan Council, the Leigh south, east and west and Atherleigh ward councillors through their Brighter Borough funding.

Councillor Anita Thorpe, from the Leigh Town Centre Management Committee which organises the lights switch-on, said: “The Leigh Christmas lights switch on promises to be a fantastic event and I would urge people from Leigh and the surrounding areas to come and enjoy the music and the special performances we have lined up.”

The residents of Tydesley will also witness a Christmas lights switch-on, the first one at the town’s new Market Square.

It takes place on Saturday November 21 at 4.15pm with the square being host to an ice rink earlier in the day - entrance, including skate hire costs £2.

An indoor Christmas market is on at the Top Chapel as well as fun rides, music, carol singing and mulled wine.

The town will also boast a new permanent Christmas tree and ‘gateway’ Christmas lights.

Councillor Stephen Hellier, who represents Tyldesley, said: “The 2015 Tyldesley Christmas lights will be the best yet!

“For years Tyldesley residents have wanted a tree and now, thanks to the busway scheme, we have a living Christmas tree which will be adorned with brand-new lights.

“Our ‘tram-poles’ – donated by the Tyldesley Festival Fund – will again carry our cross-carriageway decorations, making Tyldesley the only town in the borough to have these ‘gateway’ features.”

The switch-on will follow resident’s first taste of the new ice-rink, arranged by Tyldesley Town Partnership and Cadence CIC, on Tyldesley’s new square.

Funded from Wigan Council’s Brighter Borough Scheme, it is designed to increase the number of people in Tyldesley town centre to boost the local economy.

________________________________________