Manchester is claiming to be the first city in the UK to use recycled 'eco' lights for its Christmas display this year.

Its new lighting scheme in the city centre including festive sculptures will feature 360,000 low-energy Led lights.

They are mostly biodegradable and made from recycled materials and will amount to 22 miles of lights.

The Manchester Christmas lights will be switched on this week.

Pat Karney, Manchester’s 'Christmas spokesperson', said: 'There is no Christmas without Christmas lights, so we thought we’d double down and get 360,000 of them - all low energy and made from eco-friendly recycled materials.

'We’re particularly excited about the giant light sculptures that will be big enough to walk around and get that ever important Christmas selfie. Yet another excuse to visit Manchester this festive season.'

Photo: Mark Waugh