A GLITTERING parade, celebrity TV stars and hundreds of lights will help to transform Bolton into a winter wonderland on Thursday.

TV presenter Vernon Kay will switch on Bolton's Christmas lights assisted by the mayor, Cllr John Walsh, and a special appearance by Father Christmas himself.

The switch on of the lights on Thursday will follow a parade -- reintroduced for the first time in three years -- through the streets of the town centre.

Organisers are predicting the fun evening to mark the big countdown to Christmas in the town centre will attract hundreds of people from throughout the North-west.

Entertainment on Victoria Square will start at 5pm and is guaranteed to get shoppers in a fun mood before the parade and switch on of the lights.

The Christmas parade will start at 6.15pm from outside the Packhorse in Bradshawgate. Rudolph the Reindeer and six massive snowmen will lead the procession which will include the cast from Dick Whittington, this year's panto at The Albert Halls starring TV celebrities Paul Crone and Bernard Wrigley along Bradshawgate, Deansgate, and Howell Croft North before arriving in Victoria Square at 6.50pm.

Larger than life mascots from far and wide will also travel to Bolton to give the parade some extra sparkle. Brewster the Bear and Big Wabbit will be joined by local company characters Bertie Bear, Tommy Tower and Welephant. While Christie Bears and Derian Dog will represent Christie's Hospital and Derian House.

Parade spectators will also be entertained by the snowmen from the parade, RJ's Majorettes, Saturday Kids Club and musicians from Eagley Brass Band.

Cllr Cliff Morris Chair of Bolton Council's Civic Policy Development Group said: "Bolton always enjoys a spectacular start to the Christmas season and this year looks like yet another cracker.

"This is a real family event that everyone can enjoy for free and I'm sure thousands of people will once again come along to join in the celebrations.

"We have an exciting line-up for this year's event with music and fun for everyone and there will be a real buzz around Victoria Square on November 21."

Before the parade, fun festivities in Victoria Square will get visitors into the party mood. Tower FM presenters Paul Fairclough and Vicky Robinson will herald the start of the evening's excitement at 5 pm and there will also be entertainment from Saturday Kids Club, singing and dancing group La Caj, and Lofty the Lion. Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce will also attend and bring along some of the club favourites.

Bolton's Christmas lights will be switched on at 7 pm.

Two 40 foot traditional Christmas trees - Norway Spruces - will be a feature of the decorations on Victoria Square over Christmas and into the New Year.

The rest of the borough will also be decked out for Christmas with 40 foot spruces being put up on roundabouts in Horwich and Middlebrook at either end of de Haviland Way and 14 trees standing 25 foot tall will go up at various locations throughout Bolton.

They will all have their own switch-ons taking place between November 29 and December 6.

LAUREN Wray will also be appearing at the Christmas lights switch on in Victoria Square with Tower FM to sing her new Christmas single: "Thank you for Giving Us this Christmas."

Lauren, aged 22, was discovered while she was working as a waitress at La Cappannina Restaurant in Bury when professional singer Joel David heard her singing in the kitchen.

Joel was so impressed by her voice, described as having the clarity of Barbara Streisand with the purity of Eva Cassidy, he invited her to sing at Radio Lancashire.

Lauren is currently in negotiations over releasing her Christmas song, which was written by Joel David and Andrew JJ Hall.