CUPID is coming to town -- but starry-eyed lovers could be in for a shock. For Cupid, and an accompanying angel, will come in the shape of actors posing as statues.

They will stand as if frozen to the spot in Bolton's Market Place shopping complex, looking like real statues carved out of stone.

But then they will surprise onlookers by suddenly coming to life!

Cupid and his angel, from the London-based performance art company Mechanical Fracture, have been brought in to add a little extra spice to Valentine's Day on Friday for town centre shoppers.

Matt Walters, who set up Mechanical Fracture eight years ago, said: "We'll be luring people into the belief that we are simply inanimate statues -- and then we'll inexplicably come to life. The results will be amazing."

Matt and Tish Bell will play cupid and the angel.

Market Place manager Rod Neasham said: "People who are looking for love should come in on Friday.

"They might be shot by one of cupid's arrows while they are walking about looking around the stalls!"

Romance will be blossoming elsewhere in Bolton. Twelve couples have decided to tie the knot at the Mere Hall register office on Valentine's Day.

A spokesman for the register office said: "We are booked up on St Valentine's Day with couples getting married, both upstairs and downstairs, all day.

"It will be one of our busiest days of the year."

Restaurants and flower shops are expecting a busy day, too.

A dozen red roses will be a popular choice among men wanting to woo the woman in their life.

A spokesman for Marks and Spencer's store in Deansgate said they would cost £24.99.