ONE of the biggest live music events ever to be staged in Bolton starts on Friday night.

Work to transform the home of Bolton Wanderers into the venue for the six nights of the Big Light On event is almost completed and stadium bosses are ready to welcome around 30,000 pop fans into the ground.

Girl band The Sugababes will lift the curtain on an a series of shows which club managers hope will establish the Reebok as one of the North-west's premier music venues.

Saturday night will see The Here and Now show, featuring T'pau, Toyah, Curiosity Killed The Cat, ABC, Howard Jones and Go West, take to the stage.

Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra perform on Sunday. Next Friday, July 16, Liberty X and Phixx will perform their pop favourites.

On Saturday, "Bond - Shaken Not Stirred" will be a classical extravaganza with Tony Hadley, the West End International Orchestra and there will be a spectacular firework finale.

Michael Ball will finish the festival off in style with a performance on Sunday, July 18. Tickets are still available for all the shows with a buy-one-get-one-free deal being offered by organisers. Ticket prices are between £18.50 and £36.

To take advantage of the Buy One Get One Free offer call the box office on 0870 060 0243 or 0161 832 1111, or book online at www.biglighton.co.uk.

Alternatively call the Reebok Stadium Box Office directly on 0871 871 2932

Tickets for each show will also be available at the entrance turnstiles on the night of each event, subject to availability.