A STATUE is to be lit up for the first time this year, as part of a city's Christmas lights display.

Television presenters Ant and Dec will switch on the lights at Grey's Monument, in Newcastle, at 6.30pm on Thursday, November 21.

This year's display has been extended after sponsorship by Orange, and a new "carpet of light" will be installed in Grey Street with more lights on Grainger Street.

There will also be four illuminated decorations designed by Newcastle children in a competition and a 40ft Christmas tree in Northumberland Street.

Nearly one mile of steel cable will be needed to suspend the decorations and more than 100,000 bulbs used to light them.