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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
John Scheerhout

Thousands throng the promenade as Blackpool illuminations switched on

Thousand of people watched as Blackpool illuminations were switched on tonight. Designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen pulled the lever following a star-studded party at Blackpool Tower Ballroom, switching on the famous lights along the promenade and prompting a huge fireworks display.

Following a countdown, the lights went on at 9.15pm - and this year they will remain on until January. An estimated ten thousand people lined the promenade when the much-loved resort was illuminated.

The switch-on party featured performances from Tom Grennan, Mae Muller, Blue, Fuse ODG, and Nina Nesbitt in Blackpool Tower Ballroom for 2,000 ticketed guests, LancsLive reported. Many, many more lined the promenade outside.

The lights are switched on (James Maloney/Lancs Live)

This year's illuminations include themes such as frost fairies, astronauts, and enchanted Blackpool - which has been created by Cecil Llewelyn-Bowen - daughter of Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

"What's not great about seeing something from space," said Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen as he pulled the lever.

An estimated ten thousand people attended the switch-on (James Maloney/Lancs Live)

Earlier Tom Grennan had to apologise to the crowd after he accidentally said Brighton when he meant Blackpool. He said: "I just said Brighton then didn’t I. Sorry, Blackpool."

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