Festive sign to bring Tinseltown sparkle

Hooray for Hollinwood . . . Frank Rothwell and Ellis Rigby with (back, from left) Darrell McDonald, Kamen Clarke, James Kenway, tutor Paul Sykes, Devon Bowes and Ian Hewitt from Manchester Cabins

HOLLINWOOD will trip the light fantastic this Christmas with a touch of Tinsel . . . town.

Its version of the famous Hollywood sign is making a comeback — and this time it will glitter with 1,000 lights.

Local businessman Frank Rothwell put the town on the map by erecting 8ft-high letters spelling out Hollinwood on the M60 embankment in August.

They were removed by highways bosses who branded them a danger — but Frank was hailed a hero and invited to turn on Hollinwood’s Christmas lights tomorrow.

The Manchester Cabins boss has been working with engineering pupils on a festive version of the sign which will also be unveiled at the 6.30pm switch-on. It will be erected at the Woodman pub.

Frank said: “I have been honoured to be asked to switch-on the Christmas lights. It is also an opportunity to keep the dream of putting the main sign on the motorway alive.

“The Christmas sign is only about a quarter of the size of the one we want on the motorway but it is illuminated with 1,000 lights.

“It looks really good and is going to be absolutely fantastic, a major spectacle.

“It was also a great opportunity for these young lads to have some input and ownership rather than it being bought in.”

Frank is continuing his fight for a full-sized version of the sign on the M60 embankment following support from hundreds of Chronicle readers and Facebook users.

Oldham Council granted planning permission in October but the Highways Agency will not allow it on its land.

Pupils from Oldham schools who are studying the new engineering diploma at Kick Start, Derker, have been working on the latest project at Manchester Cabins.

They started the design work about three weeks ago before moving on to the manufacture.

Tutor Paul Sykes said: “It has been really kind of Frank. He put one of his staff with the students and it has been run like proper, industrial training.”