PEOPLE came out in their thousands as Christmas lights switch-on events were staged.

The Blackburn festivities involved performances from YouTube sensation and 80-year-old dementia sufferer the ‘Songaminute Man’ Ted McDermott and Britain’s Got Talent dance troop Boogie Storm.

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They then took to the stage for the switch-on alongside Coronation Street star Jack P Shepard, who plays David Platt.

Patricia Kitchen attended with her partner, daughter and granddaughter and was pleased with the entertainment on offer.

The 52-year-old from Darwen said: “It was very good for the community to come together and see what people can do. You see so many generations coming out.

“You see lots of people smiling and being happy and it brings families out, which you don’t see enough anymore.”

Lee Boar, 31, from Blackburn said: “It’s been very good, I went to the one in Preston and it was better than that.

“I was happy to come down and see everything going on. There was quite a lot going on and it was good, there was a good variety of acts.”

Saturday also marked the launch of the Clitheroe Market Christmas lights event which were turned on by the Britain’s Got Talent star Ella Shaw, from Langho, who also performed.

The switch-on was the culmination of the first Saturday festive market in the town, which will take place on the next three weekends.

Festivities on the day also included performances by the Pendle Primary School, St Michael and St John’s Primary School and Grand Choirs and a visit by Father Christmas.

Sarah Atherton, from Henthorn Road, Clitheroe, said: “It was fantastic, there was definitely more people than usual at the market because of it and it was a really good atmosphere.

“It was lovely to hear Ella sing, it was a fantastic day for us all.”

Regulars at the market also said that the day was great for the stall holders.

Market tenant Bob Watson, 68, said: “It’s been very good, it’s great for the town and all the interest in the market.

“There was more people here than a normal Saturday. Ella was very good and it was very nice to see the lights.”

Rawtenstall held its Christmas light switch-on, with the honours performed by hometown Paralympic double silver medallist in Rio, Tom Hamer.