A FLASH mob packed into King William Street in Blackburn town centre to treat shoppers to a dance routine performed to Michael Jackson’s hit Beat It.

But there was a serious undertone to the event which brought smiles to the faces of onlookers.

It was arranged by the dad of tragic Darwen woman, Vicky Harrison, who took her own life in 2010 after years of unsuccessful job applications.

Tony Harrison looked on and clapped as around 40 dancers, aged from nine to their 60s, performed a carefully choreographed routine they had rehearsed for weeks.

He said: “We did it to raise awareness about suicide, to raise awareness of the PAPYRUS charity and to raise money for them.

“It was very emotional but it was fantastic to see so many people here supporting the cause. With things like this, people stop and ask what it’s about and it makes them aware.”

PAPYRUS is a local charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide among young people.

The flash mob coincided with a five-mile ‘angel’ walk in memory of the 21-year-old. Fifty walkers set out on a trek from Blackburn’s Witton Park to the Havelock Inn in Havelock Street, Mill Hill, on Saturday afternoon.

The walkers thought they were stopping to gather their breath but the group of dancers from DAPA (Dance and Performing Arts) launched into their routine.

After performing to Beat It, one of Vicky’s favourite songs, they danced to Walk With An Angel, a song penned by Tony and recorded by students at Blackburn College.

DAPA’s principal, Jayne Vernon, 47, said: “Vicky came dancing when she was a little girl. It’s a shame we didn’t know her when she was older because we might have been able to help. Vicky’s parents wanted to do a flash mob and we wanted to get involved.

“PAPYRUS has its own education department so they’re filming a video, which they will then try and get into schools to raise awareness among.”