Anti poverty campaigner Bob Geldof is to help light up the festive season in Margate - the town he controversially branded as ugly.

The Live Aid hero and former Boomtown Rats singer has agreed to switch on the resort’s Christmas lights in November and mayor Cllr Brian Sullivan assures him of a warm welcome.

He said: "This is a very exciting occasion for Margate. To have a world ambassador come to our town to perform this annual event is a great honour, and we are very proud that he has accepted. We have kept this under wraps for several months, while the discussions have been going on; in fact we had not even told my fellow Margate Charter Trustees until today.

"I would personally like to thank my PA, Cheryl Ezekiel, who has done a fantastic job arranging this with Sir Bob’s team."

Earlier this year Sir Bob, who has lived at Davington Priory near Faversham for 23 years, referred to the town in a straight-talking article in Kent County Council’s free newspaper Around Kent.

He said: "It’s a mad mystery, the battle of the ugliness of Margate against the charm of the beaches." Describing Kent, he added: "I know it’s a bit scruffy and worn at the edges and some of its ugliness is inexcusable, but some of it is cute and some of it is so sublimely beautiful it’s ridiculous."

Margate’s Hartsdown Technology College principal Andy Somers described the comment as "a slap in the face for our kids" and invited him to college to meet them and become their ambassador to help restore the fortunes of the seaside town.

He said: "We have written to Sir Bob and also to the KCC newspaper but have not had a reply. Now we want Sir Bob to help us organise a music festival in 2009 that will have the town jumping. Our students believe in the town and we want to get it back on its feet for the young people who live in the area. He has excellent connections in the entertainment and music world and he could really make a difference.

"His initial comments about Margate jolted a lot of people but I would thank him for raising everyone’s awareness of the town.

"Margate has a lot to smile about and the area is on the up and up. I just hope Sir Bob will take our genuine offer to become part of what we are trying to achieve here and be part of our success too."

Cllr Sandy Ezekiel, Thanet council leader, said: "If the opportunity arises I would be delighted to show Sir Bob the terrific efforts we are making to rebuild and regenerate our town as a major destination."

Sir Bob will be switching on the Margate Christmas lights on Saturday, November 29, at 5pm.