Ambitious plans have been set out to revamp Blackpool's Illuminations' switch-on, to avoid a repeat of last year's launch disaster.

The name of the button pushing celebrity was announced only 48 hours before the event last year, and the problems have prompted a report from councillors on how to improve what is widely regarded as the resort's showpiece event.

Improvements have already been made, with the Doctor Who star David Tennant confirmed in April as the switch-on star for the August 31 ceremony.

And one of the key recommendations was that Blackpool Council would continue to work in partnership with Radio 2, which brings the all-star line-up to town and save the council around £150,000 in fees.

The report also recommends steps be taken to try and secure a live TV broadcast from next year, as well as an annual review of the ceremony.

To tie in with the launch, an Illuminations celebrity golf tournament is taking place this year the day before the switch-on ceremony, at the De Vere Heron's Reach Hotel.

Colin Asplin, president of StayBlackpool which represents hotel and guesthouse owners, said: "The new recommendations sound excellent. It's the most important date in the Blackpool calendar so things have to be right.

"Exposing the ceremony to national TV will be the best public relations we can get, and could be great for getting visitors into the town."

Mr Asplin added: "I'm pleased to see that Laurence Llewelyn Bowen is designing an aspect of the lights this year. We need to bring some of them up-to-date, and create a more modern feel in part.

Although we must get the mix right. It's not just the young that come to the Illuminations, it's the old and bald as well!"

The recommendations for next year are expected to be passed by the council's executive committee at their next meeting in September.