Chance to see your face in lights

The display will be made up of 288 "pop-art" portraits

The public are being offered the chance to become an integral part of this year's Blackpool Illuminations.

A design called localHeads will use photographic portraits and put them up in lights in a 60s pop-art style.

The 288 pictures needed will then be put together to form a colourful light installation on the lampposts that line the promenade in the town.

The council said it wants the display to reflect all the different people who visit the illuminations every year.

Councillor Maxine Callow said, "Millions and millions of people are regular visitors to Blackpool and we want them to be represented in this new Illuminations feature.

"What we hope to achieve is a blend of all ages and a cross-section of local people and visitors so the artwork is a mix just like the town itself."

Winners 'lottery'

Anyone who wants to submit their picture should log on to the localHeads website before 18 July and follow the instructions.

There will also be a localHeads photo booth at The Kids Fun Ideas Show at Manchester Central on 5 and 6 July.

Shrewsbury-based artist Andy McKeown, the man behind the design, said: "The purpose of my design is to celebrate the dynamic community of locals, visitors and holiday makers that is the essence of Blackpool.

"This is the first time a Pop Art inspired design for the Illuminations has been featured, especially as the Illuminations are a fantastic record of social trends and themes and this will continue to be reflected in the localHeads features," he added.

The winning pictures will be chosen at random using a lottery-style computer and all winners will be notified by 31 July.

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