TRADERS are preparing to do battle in a fight for Christmas shoppers.

They hope a taste of the Big Apple will be a recipe for success in Bolton town centre during the festive season.

Business leaders have been given the go-ahead to turn Victoria Square into an ice-rink, just like Central Square in New York.

The battle to attract shoppers to part with their hard-earned cash is likely to be tough this year.

Experts say that with more people in employment, there should be a spending boom this Christmas.

Bolton will kick off the festivities with the traditional Christmas lights switch-on on November 16.

The Icecapades Extravaganza in the town hall square, which should attract up to 80,000 skaters, is due to start on November 30.

There will be a huge marketing campaign by the Bolton Town Centre Company, which promotes the town with adverts on radio, TV and on buses.

Karen Wheeldon, town centre manager, said: "With the ice rink and marketing, we hope to attract more people than ever before.

"Last year, visitor numbers were up on the previous year.

"But competition in our region is very, very fierce. It's one of the most competitive in the country.

"The important thing is that Bolton comes up with something different, which is why we're putting the ice rink in."

The Trafford Centre -- which many fear could take trade away from traditional town centres -- is spending £100,000 on a new Santa's Grotto.

But it is hoped that the ice rink will attract up to 80,000 skaters, who will then spend their cash in Bolton's shops.

Christmas kicks off when the lights are switched on at 7pm on November 16 by Cllr Alan Wilkinson, the mayor of Bolton, and Santa.

There will be two hours of entertainment from 5pm at a specially constructed stage in Victoria Square.

There will be appearances from TV stars Glenda McKay, of Emmerdale, Kelly George of Grange Hill and Joanne McIntosh of Byker Grove, who are in the Albert Halls pantomime Cinderella.

The cast of the Octagon's Christmas production, The Owl and the Pussycat Went To See, will be on stage, along with the three winners of the Music Live Festival -- Charles Butcher, Sarah Jane Rushton and Samantha Pilling.

After the big switch-on, there will be a giant firework display at the town hall.