Former Rock FM presenter Jude Vause is to return to her old stomping ground to host the switch-on of this year's Christmas lights.

Jude, who now works at Century FM, was invited by Preston City Centre Management Company (PCCMC) to play host at the city's Flag Market on November 23.

And she may even be rubbing shoulders with her succesor at the local radio station when the stars from this year's pantomime, Peter Pan, join her on stage - as Rock FM's Gemma Dee is in the show. Jude, famous for her role in Rock FM's Bird and the Bee show, said: "I am looking forward to coming back. Preston is close to my heart and I come up often.

"It's going to be a brilliant sing-along Christmas evening, there is always a really good feel around the Flag Market."

Nikki Murray, marketing manager at Rock FM, based in St Paul's Square, Preston, insisted there are no hard feelings at the decision to hand such a prestigious event in Preston to their Manchester-based rivals. She said: "We have got other things up our sleeves, like doing the pantomime with the Guild Hall. Century have shot themselves in the foot a bit because they are going to have to promote Gemma Dee from 97.4 Rock FM who is in the pantomime."

Anne-Marie Flynn, marketing manager of PCCMC, said: "Century FM's audience profile is 30-plus, and we want to attract that kind of people to the city and spend money here."