TELEVISION presenter Vernon Kay will be returning home to switch on Bolton's Christmas lights.

And the 28-year-old TV star says he is "absolutely delighted" to be part of the town's festive celebrations.

The big switch on takes place in Victoria Square on Thursday, November 21, and Vernon, presenter of the popular live Sunday TV show, T4 on CH4, will do the honours with the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr John Walsh and Father Christmas.

Vernon said: "I used to watch the lights being switched on in Bolton practically every year when I was growing up so to be flicking the switch myself -- well, it's an honour."

He added: "My mum's dead proud."

Bolton always pulls out all the stops when it comes to the big switch on and this year looks like being no exception.

Singers, bands, choirs and a parade of giant Christmas characters will enter Victoria Square shortly before the lights are lit. Bands will include AL!VE from Bury which has already performed at Buckingham Palace.

Vernon will also be in the town centre throughout the day as he lends his support to the launch of Bolton's Strategic Cultural Strategy, which aims to get people to value everyone's idea of culture.

A spokesman for

the town's education and culture department said: "Through this strategy we want to encourage everyone to enjoy their town's cultural offerings -- be it music, sport, theatre."

"It's all happening from noon on November 21 in Victoria Square and we are delighted that Vernon Kay will be there to kick start the day."

THE Christmas Parade will leave the Pack Horse Hotel at 6.15pm with Father Christmas on his sleigh. They will enter Victoria Square at 6.45pm when Santa and The Mayor will join Vernon and Tower FM presenters, Vicky Robinson and Paul Fairclough on stage. They will then, along with the crowd, count down to the big switch on.