Manchester  town hall chiefs say they will save cash after purchasing a high-tech Christmas light system which can be used all year round for a staggering £900,000.

Manchester council has recently bought the cutting-edge multi coloured lighting system which will be displaying the lighting for the first time tonight at the Christmas launch. They will be hoping to win over the crowds that will gather in Albert Square.  The lights will light up the town hall and it will be shimmering in all its glory, while also showing the first glimpse of what the city has planned all year round in terms of the dramatic new illuminations.

Shoppers will see the multi coloured lights sparkling above while they are hustling about the town doing their Christmas shopping.

It is eventually hoped that the people of Manchester and tourists can control the lighting, through the recently installed touch screens which are placed across the city streets. The new lights were specially designed for Manchester and will cost £900,000 over a 5 year plan, and despite them being so expensive they should cut one third of Manchester’s annual seasonal lighting bill, due to the council not have to remove, install and store the traditional lights. As well as the maintenance savings the new system is energy efficient.

The lights will be switched on tonight at 8pm at the Christmas bonanza event, which is being held in Albert Square with plenty of celebrity acts due to make an appearance including dance groups Rejectz, Boy band the Vamps and X Factor winner James Arthur.