Hollywood director Tim Burton to switch on this year’s Blackpool Illuminations

Tim has been a regular visitor to the resort in recent years, shooting scenes for his latest film Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children there as well as the video for The Killers song Here With Me.

World-renowned director Tim Burton is set to switch on this year’s Blackpool Illuminations this year in a major coup for the town.

He achieved fame through directing blockbusters like Edward Scissorhands, Batman, Planet of the Apes and Alice in Wonderland.

Tim Burton will switch on the Blackpool Illuminations this year after admitting to being a fan of the city.

The director – who split up from partner Helena Bonham Carter earlier this year – is now working on the film adaption of Ransom Riggs young adult novel which follows teenager Jacob on his journey to find clues about his parent’s death that leads him to a mysterious island and the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s School For Peculiar Children.

The specially created 3D film will be the biggest change to the 2015 attraction, but there will also be a whole host of interactive and exciting events that will accompany the display with LeftCoast, the Grundy Art Gallery and others playing a key role.

Burton will do the honours after a concert in the city centre on September 4, featuring performances by The Vamps, Professor Green and Lawson.

The tradition to mark the start of Blackpool’s annual light festival began in 1934 when Lord Derby turned on the lights.

Fifteen thousand tickets for the weekend event were given away for free but a further 5,000 remain up for sale.