Lights to become year-round draw

The council wants to build on its reputation for illuminations

Blackpool's world-famous illuminations could become a year-round attraction if a £50m bid for lottery funding is successful.

The Big Lottery Fund is giving away the prize to a single project in a national television vote in July 2007.

Blackpool Borough Council is bidding to expand its lights away from their traditional promenade home to parks, streets and communities.

If successful, the project would also fund more community involvement.

The council wants to build on the town's historic link with electricity and light by building a centre of excellence for developing show lighting.

Second bid

Studio space for artists and light technicians would also be built with the money.

Lottery money would also be used to expand the programme to encourage interaction with the illuminations department and the people of Blackpool.

The initial aim of the council is to make the long list for the programme in January, then the shortlist of six projects for the televised stage.

Councillor Eddie Collet, tourism spokesman, said: "We have a way to go but the submission of this lottery bid, and the one for the seafront, marks our ambition of making Blackpool a world class resort, as well as our commitment to consulting and involving our resident's in the decisions we make."

In September 2005, the council celebrated the 126th year of Blackpool's illuminations with a switch-on ceremony hosted by Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans.

Last week, the council submitted a lottery bid for £21m to improve the town's seafront.