BUSINESSES in Blackburn received a major boost after thousands of people turned out for a spectacular town centre festival.

Countryside Comes to Town returned for a second year, with organisers confident that this weekend’s event beat last year’s turnout of 76,000 people.

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The stars of the day were Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain and CBeebies TV character Mr Bloom, who entertained children and adults alike.

Organiser and Blackburn Improvement District manager Harriet Roberts said: “We were blessed by the weather.

“As soon as the sun comes out you know you’re in for a good day.

“We won’t know the exact numbers until we do a count early next week but I am sure we beat the 76,000 we had last year. There’s no doubt that the festival will be back next year.

“I just hope businesses benefitted because that was ultimately the aim of the festival.

“I would like to thank all the volunteers and our partners, including Blackburn Cathedral, The Mall, Blackburn Museum, Blackburn Market and the Community CWS.”

Amongst the other entertainment at the event, which was tied in with Blackburn Flower Festival, was music from groups including Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, Drum Machine and Bombay Baja Brass Band; a nature themed masterpieces from Osadia; an insect circus; and a screening of the highly reviewed film Addicted to Sheep.

There was also a guided walk around the Cathedral Quarter by by Megabeast Productions, theatre pigeons and more.

Blackburn Mayor Cllr Hussain Akhtar, who opened the festival, said: “It was a wonderful event. There were so many people there from all over the country. Events like these are really important to unite people in what has been quite a divisive week with the referendum. There were people there from all ages and all cultures. Congratulations to the organisers on a wonderful event.”