A FIRE show was just one of the highlights of Blackburn's annual festival of light – as hundreds flocked to join the parade.

Artists from the Blackburn Festival of Light organisation worked with the community to create the visuals for the event’s seventh year.

Braving the freezing rain, youngsters followed the procession through the town centre.

Street band Blowjangles entertained the crowd, while percussionists the Stilt Batteristas performed wearing special lit up costumes.

Event organiser Kerris Casey St Pierre said his team had envisioned a night full of creativity and community with new artists and new acts joining the event.

He said: “This was a longer project than one day. It took six weeks for the artists to work with the community to create their pieces.

“All different backgrounds come together, and that’s magic. People come back because they’re part of it. It’s made by people in the community for people in the community.

“This year we’ve had funding from both Arts Council England and Awards for All. This has meant we could put on more lantern workshops and bring in more acts like the samba dances and the LED and fire dancers.”

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Blackburn with Darwen’s young people service, Junior Club, were excited about the night and had made their own lanterns.

With an impressive lantern house and getting soaked in the rain, 14-year-old Marley Dagger from Blackburn, said: “It’s raining but this is an experience and a half. A lot of people come every year and we all enjoy it.”

An interactive 'digital cloud' was also on display outside the town hall, made by artist Rob Harrington. The cloud changed colour when drummed on.

Other artists' work included the Blackburn Gas Light Company by Gareth Hudson and Toby Thirling, celebrating heritage and the town's relationship with sound.

Did you go to the festival of light in Blackburn at the weekend? Email lancs

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