DARWEN will be lit up for Christmas this Saturday after a packed evening of live entertainment.

Britain's Got Talent winner Jai McDowall will flick the switch at 6.25pm in the Market Square.

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The evening's entertainment will get under way at 4pm with a performance from The Renegade Girls.

There will then be live music from Goodnight April (4.10pm), Hana Joy (4.25pm), Tiger Heart (4.40pm), Exposure (4.55pm), Bailey McConnell (5.10pm), Janet Devlin (5.25pm), James Smith (5.40pm) and Harry Mondryck (5.55pm).

Jai McDowall, who won the ITV talent show in 2011 having previously appeared on The X Factor and The American Idol Experience, will perform from 6.10pm before the lights are switched on.

Coun Maureen Bateson, executive member for regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “The lights switch on is always a hugely popular event and I am sure this year will be no different.

"There will be lots of family activities in Darwen this year in the run up to Christmas."

Earlier in the day, from 9am, disabled youngsters will decorate the Christmas tree in the market hall in the annual event organised by fundraiser Caitlin Jones.

They will then be treated to a cooked breakfast at The Bridgewater pub.