THE biggest red nose in history is set to light up a Manchester landmark as for the first time the Trafford Centre’s iconic blue dome turns a shocking shade of crimson for Comic Relief.

A state-of-the-art LED lighting rig has been fitted to the building’s main dome, which allows centre engineers to choose any shade of colour they want.

The launch of the new technology has been timed to coincide with Red Nose Day - and bosses there hope that thousands of people will see the new-look landmark and remember to donate to the worthy cause.

Gordon McKinnon, director of operations, said: “We’re very excited about this eye-catching new technology, and we couldn’t think of a better day to reveal it than Red Nose Day – which is now a national institution.

"Our iconic domes have lit up the Manchester skyline for more than a decade, and can be seen by hundreds of thousands of people every day travelling along the M60 ring-road.”

The new dome lights work on the familiar digital RGB system – a blend of colours which together can create any hue under the rainbow.

The dome has also been tested in yellow, green, orange, purple and silver – leading to the tantalising idea that it could be re-coloured to mark other popular events, like St Patrick’s Day, or World Environment Day.

Other events at the Centre to mark Red Nose Day include a mass whoopee cushion orchestra in The Orient – with an exclusive Big Screen performance by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

Shoppers are invited to buy a special Red Nose Day Whoopee Cushion then whoopee along to The Blue Danube, the Hornpipe and the 1812 Overture, from 2pm -5pm on Friday 13th March.

The Saturdays and comedian Nick Hancock will be on-screen to present the video – and Coronation Street favourite Antony Cotton will be making a special guest appearance at the Centre too in a bid to raise as much money as possible for the Comic Relief cause, while BBC Radio Manchester will also be broadcasting live from The Bandstand in The Orient.