WORCESTER'S Mayor appeared on breakfast television today and tried to win a celebrity to switch on the city's Christmas lights.

But Councillor David Clark lost out to the Mayor of Newport, South Wales, in a viewer's vote on the Big Breakfast programme.

Coun Clark travelled to London early this morning to promote the city on the Channel 4 show.

He had 30 seconds to say why presenter Mike McClean should switch on the lights - traditionally a duty carried out by the Mayor.

Millions

Coun Clark mentioned the city's involvement in the Civil War as well as its other accomplishments.

"Worcester's the jewel in the Midlands, surrounded by beautiful countryside," he told millions of viewers. "We've also got the oldest newspaper in the country.

"Mike McClean would bring in all the crowds we lost last year when we had the terrible floods."

Viewers were asked to call to vote for Worcester, Nuneaton or Newport after the three speeches. Worcester gained 29 per cent of the votes - but came third.

"It was one hell of an experience," Coun Clark said after the programme.

"It's not one that I relished. You feel out of your depth. But at least I'll be able to carry out my normal duties."

The Mayor will be joined by three Evening News readers - winners of a competition run in the paper - when he switches on the Christmas lights at Guildhall on Thursday, November 15.

"The Big Breakfast rang me and asked if we'd take part in the programme," said Georgia Smith, city centre manager.

"It's good to promote the city beyond its boundaries.

"We don't normally have a celebrity come to Worcester for the lights because it normally costs too much to bring one in. We'll certainly think about it in the future"