'Timelord' set to light up resort

David Tennant will switch on the lights on 31 August

Dr Who star, David Tennant, is just one of the stars from television and music who are set to appear for the switch on of the 2007 Blackpool Illuminations.

Natasha Bedingfield, McFly, Natalie Imbruglia and Gareth Gates have also been booked for the lights' launch.

Having David Tennant turn on the Illuminations has created a great deal of excitement, a council spokesman for the Lancashire seaside resort said.

The Doctor Who star will flick the switch on 31 August at about 2125 BST.

Radio 2

Dale Winton, host of BBC Radio 2's Pick of the Pops show, will be presenting a special hour-long live broadcast from the event from 2030 BST.

Blackpool councillor Maxine Callow said: "The Illuminations are a very important asset to the resort, and we are pleased to announce such an exciting line up for what will be a great start to the 2007 Illuminations season."

The lights will shine for 66 consecutive nights until 4 November.

David Tennant will be following in the footsteps of fourth Doctor Who actor, Tom Baker, who switched the lights on in 1975.