PROMOTERS of Darwen’s festive spectacular played a ‘leading’ role to ensure 2016’s lights switch-on had the X Factor.

Characters from Nickelodeon favourite Paw Patrol dazzled youngsters and parents in the Market Square in the build-up.

And Reggie and Bollie, runners-up in the ITV talent hunt, brought hip hop to the freezing masses as part of the Christmas show.

The X Factor pairing then stepped up to help the borough’s Mayor, Cllr Hussain Akhtar, and Mayoress Shaheen Akhtar flick the switch on the lights.

Borough councillor John Roberts said after the show: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people in the square – it was marvellous.”

No fewer than eight musical acts were lined up for the official start to Darwen’s Christmas, from Yorkshire singer-songwriter Chris Atkinson, who debuted his new single Time Machine, to the likes of Danielle Rose, Scots guitarist Jamie Hutchinson, Verity Kinnon and Tiger S.

New boy band District 12, including Bury’s Matt Fitzgerald, even brought along their own travelling support.

Eighteen-year-old Kyra Tunnicliffe, who was there with 13-year-old sister Anna and dad Darryl, said: “We follow them everywhere because of Matt.”

Suzanne Dainty, from Blackburn, there with partner Eddie Nicholls and family members, said: “We’re here because the kids want to see Paw Patrol basically.”

Another unheralded animal star also attracted plenty of followers. Youngsters queued to get their picture taken with Christmas donkey Jake, who had been brought from his Accrington stable by Morgan Fielding.

But it was Reggie and Bollie who really captured the crowd’s attention, in sub-zero temperatures in front of Darwen Market and Town Hall.

Commenting on their Twitter account the pair, who are on a festive lights tour, said: “We’ve done it again. Another Christmas light is on.”

Rob Charles, the 2BR host for the proceedings, also wished a happy second birthday to Reggie’s daughter Dior on stage.