The first illuminations were switched on in 1879

The lights have lit up six miles of the Promenade every night since they were switched on 4 September.

The illuminations cost �2.4m to stage with more than a million lamps in the display. They were expected to attract more than 3.5m visitors to the resort.

The council-owned car parks and the Sandcastle Centre have reported an increase in tourism on last year.

'Good season'

Colin Asplin, President of the Blackpool Hotel and Guest House Association, says despite poor weather and summer football, business has been good.

"Last year was a particularly bad year. The complaints from the hoteliers haven't been as broad as they were last year.

"I don't think any sporting event has any significant effect, neither does the weather.

"Last year was gorgeous, this year was appalling.

"But the majority of my members have still had a pretty good season."