The first annual Lytham St Annes St George’s Day Festival is less than a week away now.

And it has united a whole community, with residents, traders and business folk right behind the event, which runs between April 23-25.

Lytham will come alive with colour, excitement and ceremony – and the thousands upon thousands of visitors to the area are expected to give it a real cash boost.

Lytham Action Group member Marc Whitehead, of Exquisite Shoes, Clifton Street, said the whole town was buzzing.

He said: “All the neighbouring shops are speaking about it. I can’t wait for it, it’s excellent.”

Marc explained that the action group had been asked to help out with organising bunting and flags which will decorate the town.

“Everybody is joining in and hopefully it will bring in trade, even if it doesn’t bring it to the street,” said Marc.

“It is bringing people to the area and hopefully getting them to come back again.

“From that side, we are pleased something is going on because all these other towns are struggling and we are doing all right now.

“The sun has been out and the place has been packed.

“It is just promoting the town a bit more.”

The festival is the brainchild of Fylde businessman David Haythornthwaite, who is its president.

The seeds were sown when he gave his 120 staff the day off last year and has called for St George’s Day to be made a national holiday.

The festival will begin with the ceremonial raising of the Flag of St George on Lytham Green and include a special lunch with a keynote speech by Martin Bell.

On day two there will be a charity ball at Lytham Hall, with day three featuring a family fun day.

Charities which will benefit from money raised at the festival are: The Army Benevolent Fund; Haythornthwaite Sports Foundation and Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley.