VIDEO AND GALLERY: Blackburn's festive lights switched on (From Blackburn Citizen)

VIDEO AND GALLERY: Blackburn's festive lights switched on

4:04pm Sunday 15th November 2009

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“BLACKBURN is on fire” sang Simon Webbe on Saturday as the singer sparked wild celebrations among revellers ahead of this year's Christmas lights switch on.

The pop star from boyband Blue performed a four-song set including his hit 'After All This Time' and a cover of the Kings of Leon smash 'This Sex is on Fire', adapted to pay tribute to the town.

Crowds had gathered from noon in King William Street to watch presenters from 107 The Bee radio station and a series of entertainers and singers.

And the show concluded with Mr Webbe joining Mayor Coun James Hirst in flicking the switch to turn on the town's Christmas lights before a thunderous firework display lit up the sky.

Fan Georgina Jackson, 15, from Great Harwood, said the singer's rendition of The Killers' song Human was her highlight.

She said: “I was stood at the front. He was brilliant.

“It was a great night. It just gets better ever year.”

Lyndsay Livesey, 28, of Blackburn, said she was really pleased Mr Webbe had visited te town.

She said: “When I heard Blue were splitting up I was really upset because I am a big fan.

"When I saw him on Saturday I was shaking, I was gobsmacked. But he was brilliant.”

Coun Derek Harman and his wife Colette from Cherry Tree watched the fireworks with their triplets Ella, Abigail and Owen, aged five, and friends Eleanor Hartland, 9, and Hollie Law-Riding, 8.

Colette said: “The kids really enjoyed it, we come every year.

"The fireworks were just fantastic this year. They were spectacular.”

Click here to view and buy pictures from the lghts switch on.

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