A SOAP star will follow in the footsteps of fellow celebrities by switching on the Christmas lights in a North-East town next week.

The news of Adam Thomas’ arrival in Hartlepool has been met with excitement from fans of Emmerdale and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.

Mr Thomas, who plays Adam Barton in the popular soap and finished third in the reality TV series, will join the town’s mayor to switch on the lights as part of an evening of festive entertainment.

Also appearing will be X-Factor contestant Shanaya Atkinson-Jones, while Durham band North Road will conclude the festivities.

Mr Thomas is the latest in a line of soap stars to grace the event, which in previous years has hosted Coronation Street actors Jack P Shepherd (David Platt) and Samia Ghadie (Maria Connor) and Joey Essex.

The switch-on forms part of the festivities being held outside the National Museum of the Royal Navy from 4pm until 6pm on Friday, December 1.

Comperes Neil Green and Amy Oakden from BBC Tees will welcome a number of performers to the stage, with performing arts students from Hartlepool Sixth Form College and the Hartlepool Special Needs Group expected to be among those helping to entertain crowds.

The town’s mayor, Cllr Paul Beck, said: “The switch-on of the town’s Christmas lights is a fantastic occasion and I hope that people turn out in force to join in the festive fun.”