Film director Tim Burton is to switch on this year’s Blackpool Illuminations.

Burton, whose hit movies include Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands and Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, will perform the honours in front of a crowd of 20,000 people on Friday September 4.

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

He joins a long list of famous faces who have hit the button in previous years, including comedian Peter Kay, TV host Jonathan Ross, music star Robbie Williams and former Doctor Who David Tennant.

Gillian Campbell, deputy leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Having one of the most famous film directors in the world turn on the Blackpool Illuminations is a major coup and shows the high regard the town is held in the hearts of our famous visitors.

“We know he is a huge fan of Blackpool and we are delighted that he has agreed to switch the Illuminations on for us on the biggest night of Blackpool’s year.”