Lovelorn hairdresser Maxine will be leaving her Coronation Street woes behind to flick the switch on Bradford's Christmas lights.

Actress Tracy Shaw, who plays the Corrie crimper, will be the latest in a line of Street stars to do the honours, including singer Bill Tarmey, who plays Jack Duckworth, and Ken Morley, who played Reg Holdsworth.

She will top the bill of celebrities helping to unwrap a series of festivities which begin with the switch-on in Centenary Square next Thursday at 6.30pm. Joining Tracy, who sang at Bingley's Music in Myrtle concert earlier this year, will be pop singers Tony Monrelle and Adam Austin. Tony, who appeared at the recent Mobo Awards, is soon to release his debut single - as is Adam, who has already notched up numerous TV appearances.

The fun starts at 3.30pm as part of Centenary Square is turned into an ice rink with Bradford Council's events staff also promising a "hi-tech" seasonal snow shower or two. There will be street entertainers, face painting and children's rides and Scala Kids will perform songs from Grease at 5pm.

Pulse Radio's breakfast DJ Mark Page will get the party swinging from 5.30pm with a mix of pop music, competitions, give-aways, a laser show, and guest appearances by stars from Bradford City and Bradford Bulls. And, after the lights switch-on at 6.30pm, there will be a spectacular firework display heralding the start of late-night shopping.

l TV celebrity Les Dennis will be joined by singer Dina Carroll for the switch-on of Leeds Christmas lights at 8.30pm tonight.

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