Geldof lights switch-on back on

Bob Geldof will appear on an open top bus at the town's harbour

Bob Geldof has confirmed he will rearrange his plans to get to an international poverty meeting to switch on a Kent town's Christmas lights.

Last week the Live Aid founder cancelled his appearance in Margate, which was booked after he was reported as saying the seaside resort was ugly.

Mr Geldof will travel to the meeting in Qatar after Saturday's switch-on.

Councillor Brian Sullivan, the town mayor, said: "He didn't want to disappoint the people of Margate."

He added: "He comes to Margate in the afternoon and we're given to understand he goes straight from here to Heathrow where he goes to attend a conference."

The switch-on will be brought forward to accommodate the singer's schedule.

Mr Geldof, who wrote Do They Know It's Christmas? to raise money for famine relief in 1984, will appear on an open top bus at Margate harbour from 1630 GMT.

A fireworks display will be launched by The X Factor contestant Ben Mills and London's Burning actor Mark Arden later in the evening.