Mr Bloom and Heather Small are to perform in Preston

Preston’s Christmas Lights are to be switched on by children’s favourite Mr Bloom and the sound of M People’s Heather Small will belt out across the Flag Market.

A free concert is taking place ahead of the switch on as the Christmas lights return to their usual switch on location after last year’s move to Fishergate.

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Heather Small will be performing classics such as Moving On Up, Search for a Hero and Proud.

While Mr Bloom returns to the city after a packed performance in the St George’s Shopping Centre.

The Real Thing, who celebrate their 40th anniversary this year, are playing a soulful set including You To Me Are Everything.

The concert, on Saturday 26 November, signals the start of the city’s Christmas celebrations.

Last year’s Christmas Lights switch on – of course being Preston it rained!

Performances begin from 5.15pm and the lights are to be switched on around 7.45pm.

Organised by Preston’s Business Improvement District the switch on marks 100 years of the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce.

Chief executive of the chamber of commerce Babs Murphy said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Christmas Concert and Switch On; it’s something we’ve been involved with for many years. This will be the last major event of our centenary year and it’s our way of saying ‘thank-you’ to the people of Preston; it’s where the Chamber began exactly 100 years ago’.”

Read more: Vintage Christmas switch on in Preston

The lights switch on is one of the busiest shopping days in the city centre, and Preston BID say street theatre performances are also to take place with a Christmas theme.

Preston BID’s Mark Whittle said: “We’re looking forward to kick-starting the city’s Christmas season by hosting this free event. This year we’ve worked closely with the city’s key retailers to put together a different kind of show.

“Christmas is really important time for the city centre and its businesses. As with recent years, the BID is yet again making a considerable investment towards this season including funding the majority of the city’s Christmas lighting scheme and promoting Preston across the region. Our Christmas events are always popular and we look forward to sharing the start of the season with thousands of visitors.”

Will you be going to the lights switch on? What do you think of the line up? Let us know in the comments below