BOLTON tripped the light fantastic on Thursday night as celebrities entertained the crowds before thousands of Christmas illuminations, baubles and lanterns were switched on.

Thousands of people, some of them wearing plastic reindeer antlers and party hats, flocked into the town centre for the spectacular show.

And they were dancing in the rain as Bolton TV personality Vernon Kay pressed the magic button and turned Victoria Square into an brightly-lit festive scene.

The crowds saved their loudest cheers for singing sensations the Cheeky Girls, and children beamed with delight as a brilliant fireworks display lit the night sky.

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr John Walsh, said: "It was an amazing night and it marked the start of a great period of celebrations for Bolton.

"We will be partying now until we celebrate the 750th anniversary of the foundation of Bolton's charter in the New Year.

"I would like to thank everyone who helped make this a night to remember."

After switching on the lights, Channel 4's T4 teen show presenter Vernon Kay admitted he had fulfilled a childhood ambition.

He said: "I used to watch the lights being switched on when I was a boy. It was an amazing to be able to do it myself tonight."

Bolton singing group La Caj were among the performers who entertained the crowds.

They were joined by dozens of other starlets, including the town's Saturday Kids Club, RJ's Majorettes, singer Lauren Wray and by Bolton Council postal worker Laura Rigby, who has set up a band called Vogue with her boyfriend Paul.

Earlier there had been a big parade through town, which included Rudolf the reindeer and a group of giant snowmen. And two 40ft-high Christmas trees had been put up in Victoria Square.

But it was the Cheeky Girls, Romania's 20-year-old twins Monica and Gabriela Irimia, who stole the show. Monica said: "The crowd was amazing. We travelled all the way from London to be here."

Wanderers' mascot Lofty the Lion later jumped on to the stage after some of the team's players greeted the crowds and performed three Elvis songs.

Cindy Seel from Tonge Moor took her daughters Megan, aged two, and one-year-old Emma to see the show. She said: "It was fantastic."