THE centre of Radcliffe will be lit up by 900 new lights dedicated to the town’s war heroes.

Radcliffe Business Group, which was set up by local entrepreneurs to rejuvenate the town centre, have worked with Bury Council for the last year to bring the Radcliffe Memorial Tree Light project to fruition.

The display will be installed in three cherry trees adjacent to the band stand in the town centre piazza and will be lit up all year round.

A ceremony will be held next month to unveil the lights, alongside a plaque dedicating them to the men and women of Radcliffe who gave their lives in the service of their country.

The Business Group is planning to have a local Second World War veteran switch on the lights at the event, due to be held at 3pm on Saturday, December 17.

There will be also Christmas carols and more live music from Radcliffe-born singer Sarah Dennis, known as the veterans’ sweetheart.

There has been no major switch-on event for the town’s Christmas lights this year, due to budget cuts, but the tree was due to be lit up this week.

Eugene O’Donnell, who owns New Button Alterations, said: “We have put a lot of effort into these plans for almost a year.

“The lights will be on all year round, hopefully for many years to come, from three o’clock to midnight every day.

“They stand out really well, even in the daylight, so we hope that they will be a very nice addition to Radcliffe town centre and that the dedication next month will give it some additional interest.”

The event will be followed by food and entertainment at Farrar’s Cafe in the Market Hall.