FORMER England fast bowler Steve Harmison will switch on the Christmas lights display in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea tomorrow.

The Ashington-born former Test star will perform the switch on at 6pm in the town’s recently-refurbished Quay Wall area.

It will be the first event to be held since the revamp of the public open space, a piazza area in Bridge Street.

Steve will switch on the lights on a large Christmas tree after the official re-opening of the area by local county councillor Alan Thompson, and the Rev Frank Walton from St Bartholomew’s Church.

The Quay Wall area has undergone a transformation recently as part of a regeneration project to create a focal point for the town and a more open and usable space for the community.

Tomorrow night there will be Christmas festivities from 6pm to 7pm, with entertainment by Ultra Radio, a fair at St Bartholomew’s Church Centre and activities for all the family. At 7.30pm there will be a screening of the film The Golden Compass at the Newbiggin Maritime Centre, with admission costing £4 for adults and £2 for children.

Coun Thompson said: “The refurbishment of the Quay Wall area is another achievement in the renaissance of Newbiggin. I look forward to offering a warm welcome to Steve Harmison and it will be a privilege to have him switch on our Christmas tree lights.”