GOLDEN couple Jason and Laura Kenny lit up Bolton town centre as hundreds of people enjoyed the festive fun.

Crowds braved the wet weather to see the Olympic stars switch on the town's Christmas lights last night, following the annual parade and a spectacular fire dance show.

Internationally-renowned group Flame Oz performed a specially-commissioned fire juggling and dancing routine to celebrate the cyclists' combined 10 gold medals, as well as two other shows in the build-up to the big switch-on.

And after the Farnworth Flyer had played his part by turning the lights on with a giant bicycle pump, the crowds were treated to a sensational fireworks display.

Jason said: "It’s good to be able to come and celebrate our success with the town, but it’s really all about the lights and getting excited for Christmas. All of my family are here and they are very proud."

X Factor star Christian Burrows and former Britain’s Got Talent contestant Ella Shaw were also among the performers who took to the stage last night.

Christian, who worked at Level nightclub before getting his shot at stardom, said: “It’s the first time I’ve been able to perform live in front of everyone from home so there was added pressure. My mum was in the audience as well — but I loved every minute of it, although it was very cold.

“The reaction from the crowd was the best I have had since I started at all, it was amazing.

“To have people singing along to a song that I wrote is just surreal, I can’t explain it — I can’t stop smiling."

Ella, from Blackburn, said: “It was amazing to be up there on the stage. I love opportunities like this, especially for me just starting out in my career. To be able to sing in front of so many people is brilliant and I absolutely love Christmas.

“I had an incredible singing teacher from Bolton who taught me for a very long time and I think I owe my success to her a lot, so Bolton is a very special place for me."

This year's traditional parade featured Eagley Brass Band, two giant angels, a festive Christmas float, a band on stilts and costumed characters dressed as baubles, fairies and Christmas puddings.

The town's two iconic giant snowmen made their 23rd appearance in the annual procession, joined by Father Christmas and the Mayor, Cllr Lynda Byrne, who was celebrating her birthday.

The leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Cliff Morris, said: "We were really pleased to be able to welcome Jason and Laura and were delighted that so many people turned out to celebrate their achievements.

“The lights switch-on is only the start of a fabulous season of fun for all the family in the run up to Christmas, so we hope people will come back soon to visit the ice rink, have a turn on the giant snow slide or see Santa in his grotto.”

Nikki Wilson Cook, centre manager for the Market Place, which sponsored the switch-on, said: "We were delighted that so many people came to the town centre and also to the Market Place after the lights switch-on, where Ella Shaw and Christian Burrows performed for late night shoppers.

"The Christmas lights switch-on marks the start of the countdown to Christmas and also the beginning of the shopping season, so we hope that residents will come back into town again to see what’s on at the Market Place and visit the Light Cinema or have a bite to eat in the Vaults."