It’ll be a cracking night, Gromit!

It’ll be a cracking night, Gromit!

Film and TV stars Wallace and Gromit switch on Oldham’s Christmas lights o Sunday — and it promises to be a cracking event!

The big countdown will be heralded by a spectacular stage show, packed with Christmas characters.

Oldham’s theme for all its 2011 events has been transport — which continues in the show’s music and entertainment.

The Christmas switch-on prize draw also takes place during the show, with Primark Oldham giving five winners a £50 gift card each. Entry forms are available in the store and at www.visitoldham.com.

Wallace and Gromit will then join the Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Richard Knowles, on stage to press the button as a huge fireworks display lights up the sky over the town centre.

The stage show starts at 4.20pm and lasts around an hour, with the fireworks display starting at around 5pm. The stage will be next to the war memorial, withthe best viewing area in front of the old town hall and on Clegg Street.

In the afternoon, children should look out for Wallace and Gromit going walkabout in the town centre. Street performers will also entertain and hand out free hats and sweets. Following the switch-on, the Christmas lights will be every day from 3pm.

Shoppers have free parking in the town centre in the run-up to Christmas and during the January sales.

On Saturdays parking is free in Oldham Council-owned car parks for up to three hours. On Sundays Spindles Town Square car parks offer four hours of free parking.

Councillor Dave Hibbert, cabinet member for housing, transport and regeneration, said: “The Christmas lights switch-on is one of Oldham’s biggest nights of the year.”