HUNDREDS of families braved the cold in Blackburn last night to see Irish popstars Jedward switch on the town’s Christmas lights.

The identical twins, who rose to fame on the X Factor, wowed the crowd with a live performance before leading the countdown and pressing the button to light up the town centre.

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Lancashire Telegraph:

They were joined on stage by Des Owen, president of the Blackburn branch of the Royal British Legion, as King William Street turned into a kaleidoscope of colour.

The festivities got underway earlier in the day, with performances outside the town hall from Lancashire girl group The Renegade Girls, Bolton singer Redd and Manchester band Goodnight April.

The feel-good theme continued into the evening with Blackpool group Tiger Heart, the Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles, and boyband Exposure.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Street vendors were doing a steady trade in glow-in-the-dark accessories as mums, dads, grandparents and children converged on the town centre after 5pm.

Scottish songstress Emily Middlemas was followed by Northern Irish artist Janet Devlin, who finished fifth in the 2011 series of the talent show.

With tension for Jedward building, former Burnley College student Harry Mondryk, once of boyband ReConnected, gave a storming display, much to the delight of the large crowd of teenagers.

Jedward – also known as John and Edward Grimes – finally took to the stage around 10 minutes after they were billed, but the delay did not dampen the crowd’s enthusiasm.

The duo performed their hits Luminous, Lipstick, and Free Spirit, as well as their cover version of Vanilla Ice’s Ice, Ice, Baby – hugely appropriate given the plummeting temperatures which had the audience taking advantage of the nearby pork pie stall.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Leading a mass countdown from 10, the pair were joined on stage by guests including Blackburn with Darwen council leader Kate Hollern and Mayor Alan Cottam, before trees, lampposts and signs were lit up shortly before 7.10pm.

Coun Cottam said: “We’re privileged to have Des here on behalf of the servicemen. They’ve raised a record amount in this area this year, so well done to Des.”

A huge fireworks display sent the masses home happy, with some having travelled from Accrington, Great Harwood and Darwen.

Paul Howarth, from Mill Hill, said his daughters Stephanie and Eva were thrilled by the show.

He said: “We wouldn’t normally come down but it was dry and the girls loved it. There was a really good atmosphere and the fireworks were well better than I expected.”