Soap star Michelle Keegan will be the celebrity guest at this year’s Accrington Carnival, the Observer can reveal.

Popular Michelle, who plays Tina McIntyre on Coronation Street, has been snapped up for the carnival on June 15.

Organisers hope having such a high profile guest will draw crowds to the charitable event at Accrington and Rossendale College.

Tracy Simmonds, from organisers Accrington Lions, said booking Michelle for the big day would be a real boost to the event. She said: “We are delighted that Michelle Keegan has agreed to come along and attend this year’s event with her hectic schedule in Coronation Street.

“We hope everyone will come along and enjoy themselves and support the event. The carnival is one of the biggest events in Accrington’s social calendar which is held every two years and we hope that everyone will have a good time. All the money raised will go into the local community so please support the carnival and Accrington Lions.”

The star guest will ride through the procession through the streets of Accrington before officially opening and judging the Classic Television and Film Fancy Dress Competition at Accrington and Rossendale College. She will also judge Hyndburn’s Mr Carnival which will be announced in the Observer in the coming weeks.

Tracy added her thanks to sponsors Rishton Waste Paper.