TWO of television’s biggest soap stars are to visit the region later this month to switch on a city’s Christmas lights.

Coronation Street actors Michael Le Vell and Vicky Binns will flick the switch to turn on Durham’s Christmas lights on Sunday, November 22.

The pair play Kevin Webster and Molly Dodds, whose clandestine affair is expected to dominate the Street’s storyline in the run-up to Christmas.

A crowd of thousands is expected to attend the switch-on, which comes at the end of a day of entertainment in the city centre.

It is the sixth year running that stars from Britain’s longest-running soap will have appeared at Durham’s Christmas switch-on.

Richard Toynbee, centre manager at Prince Bishops Shopping Centre, said: "The celebrity switch on is always a highlight of the year.

"We have previously brought some of the biggest soap stars to the Durham City, so expectations are always high, but we hope we have managed to top last year by securing Corrie’s Molly and Kevin."

Last year’s X Factor finalists Bad Lashes will also be performing on the day.

Activities begin down on the River Wear at 12.30pm, with the annual Durham Duck Race, which will see 20,000 rubber ducks race from Elvet Bridge to Kingsgate bridge.

Live entertainment starts in the Market Place from 1.30pm with choirs, a brass band, Santa Claus, circus acts and pantomime star Pee Wee Price, leading up to the official switch-on at 5.45pm.