Patriotic crowds turned out to Manchester city centre on Thursday evening to mark the official lighting of the beacon, as the Queen's Jubilee bank holiday weekend continues. A countdown was held in St Peter's Square, although there was some confusion among spectators due to a delay in all the electronic lights being switched on.
After a few moments, the lights beamed up towards the sky, following a day that saw Mancunians celebrate in royal fashion across the region. Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Donna Ludford lit the beacon, spanning a towering column of light into the sky
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Cllr Ludford described the event as 'fantastic'. She said: "It's brought communities together, it was amazing. It will never happen again. Everyone is here to celebrate."
