CREWE'S festive lights display Lumen is to be launched on November 27 with the help of experts behind Blackpool's world-famous Illuminations.

The event, a huge success in its two years since inception, will change format for 2020 and will instead be a spectacular trail round the town centre as organisers look to give families from South Cheshire and beyond their "biggest and best" display.

Previously, Lumen has drawn crowds of more than 10,000 to Municipal Square and the town centre to enjoy an action-packed night of entertainment and the countdown to a projected illumination lighting up Municipal Buildings.

This year that will not be possible because of social distancing, but the events team are working hard to provide something just as spectacular but safe. It is anticipated the installations will be spread far enough apart so that everyone can enjoy them safely and a trail will be created reducing the need for people to gather in one place.

Crewe Town Council has announced it is working with Blackpool Council's Illuminations team to bring a dazzling season of attractions in the run up to Christmas. The Lancashire authority won a competitive tendering process which attracted applications from all over the country.

Experts from Blackpool's Illuminations team have visited Crewe on several occasions already to begin mapping out a creative plan which works within current Covid-19 restrictions.

Cllr Benn Minshall, Mayor of Crewe, said: "This year, more than ever, our mission is to give local people the best possible event to support our local businesses in the town centre, by providing something which is attractive to both residents and visitors but is staged in the most responsible way under changing conditions.

"Since its launch in 2018 Lumen has got people talking about Crewe in a positive way and for 2020 we believe there is still the capacity and potential to create truly special moments for everyone to share.

"We are proud to be building our partnership with the Illuminations team at Blackpool Council, who are world-famous for their stunning displays and will bring their considerable skills to delivering a lights campaign for Crewe which will live on in our memories for years to come."

Lumen has set the tills ringing in the town. In its first year the month-long lights campaign led to a bumper £104,995 spent in local outlets, based on a specially commissioned survey of families attending.

The Town Council promises Lumen 2020 will bring spectacular and unusual things to see into the town centre and create a fun trail for families to follow to find them all.

Cllr Gillian Campbell, Cabinet Member for Tourism & Culture for Blackpool Council, said: "We are delighted to be working with Crewe Town Council to help deliver its Lumen Light Festival.

"We have an extremely skilled team here at Blackpool Illuminations, who work with a number of towns and cities across the UK to give expert advice on their own lighting requirements, as well as planning and delivering Christmas lights switch ons.

"For Crewe, we are bringing some of our skills and expertise from our Lightpool Festival as well to create a truly illuminating spectacle for Crewe this year."

More details of Lumen are to be announced in the Autumn ahead of the launch on Friday, November 27.

• This year, Blackpool Illuminations will shine nightly from Friday, September 4 to Sunday, January 3, 2021. The Illuminations attract more than three million visitors to the resort each year and the display, which stretches for more than six miles, costs £2.4 million to stage.