It takes 65,000 hours to string the illuminations along the promenade

Winton will be flicking the switch on Friday night in a grand ceremony to mark the illuminations' nine-week run.

More than six miles of promenade have been decorated with bulbs - a feat which takes council staff 65,000 hours.

Crowds will be entertained during the event by Peter Kay, Ronan Keating, The Zutons, Heather Small and Duncan James.

The opening show will be hosted by DJ Mark Goodier and broadcast live on BBC Radio 2 from a specially constructed arena just behind the Golden Mile.

The light displays regularly attract more than 3.5m visitors to Blackpool.

The illuminations, which have been a regular attraction in the resort since 1879, shine non-stop for 66 nights.