IT might only be July but Bolton is already planning for Christmas.

And it will be the town’s favourite bearded bakers, The Hairy Bikers, who will be cooking up a festive treat when they switch on Bolton’s Christmas lights in November.

The adopted Boltonians are the latest addition to a long line of celebrities who have switched on the lights in Victoria Square.

Si King and Dave Myers have been a regular fixture on the menu at Bolton’s Food and Drink festival for the last two years, with Boltonians loving their mix of tasty recipes, no-nonsense banter and Northern humour.

The Christmas lights switch-on fun on will start at 4pm on Saturday, November 24, with the Hairy Bikers counting down to the big switch-on at 6pm.

And the bearded duo will also be in town to perform their show Larger than Live, a mixture of recipes, jokes and stories from their travels.

The show will be on at the Albert Halls , Bolton, on the same day.

The Hairy Bikers said: “We love Bolton and really can’t wait to come back and switch on the Christmas lights. We’ve visited the town regularly over the last few years and love the food, the people and the sense of humour. We were gutted that we couldn’t attend this year’s Food and Drink Festival due to a jam-packed schedule, so it was a real honour to be asked to do the big switch-on as we know it’s a huge event in the festive calendar.”

Cllr Cliff Morris, leader of Bolton Council , said: “We’re really pleased to be able to welcome the Hairy Bikers to Bolton’s Christmas Lights switch-on and are thrilled that they have agreed to flick the switch for us this year.

“We’ve pulled out all the stops again this year to make it a marvellous, magical Christmas in Bolton.

“Starting with the lights switch-on, we will have something for all the family in the run up to Christmas, including plenty of festive entertainment and attractions in the town centre.”