Stars of Emmerdale will light up Bradford when they switch on this year's Bradford Christmas lights.

Household favourites Charley Webb and Ben Freeman, who play Debbie Dingle and Scott Windsor in the Yorkshire serial, promise to thrill fans at the annual extravaganza in Centenary Square.

And pop fans are in for a treat too with a packed line-up of music.

Pulse 2006 Battle Of The Band winners Shortfall and Lil Chris - of reality show Rock School,who recently hit the charts with Checkin it Out - will be at the event.

Among the live music, dancers and celebrities, the Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Choudhary Rangzeb and his mascot, Brad Ford Bear, will be making an appearance.

Bradford Council's culture spokesman Councillor Anne Hawkesworth said: "The Christmas Lights switch on is always a great event and one of the highlights in our calendar.

"It promises to be a fun-filled evening of entertainment with the chance to start your Christmas shopping and get into the festive spirit."

The fun kicks off at 5.30pm with Pulse presenters Steve and Jacqui hosting the show.

Fireworks will then herald the big switch on at 7pm on November 16.

The annual event is one of the highlights of Bradford's calendar and draws thousands of people into the city centre every year.

Last year saw crowds brave icy temperatures to watch X Factor finalist Chenai Zinyuku and Bradford panto star Lesley Joseph flick the switch on the Bradford Christmas extravaganza.

Chenai, who made it through to the final onscreen heats of the TV talent show, serenaded the crowds with a set of Christmas songs.

In previous years hundreds of Gareth Gates fans have queued around Centenary Square for hours to catch a glimpse of their Pop Idol turning on the lights.

l Santa's reindeer will be arriving in Bradford pulling his sleigh through the city as part of the civic parade this weekend. It will leave from the Kirkgate Centre on Sunday from 10am.

e-mail: fiona.evans@bradford.newsquest.co.uk