MANCHESTER Airport kicked off its Commonwealth Games celebrations in earnest with a massive fanfare and a bit of a didgeridoo to launch its fortnight-long extravaganza of live entertainment.

The live entertainment has been arranged by the airport as a special welcome to Commonwealth Games passengers and to highlight the huge public excitement throughout Manchester now the big day is almost upon us.

And on its first day, passengers including Team Canada and Australian Commonwealth Games competitors were treated to a multitude of musical treats and street theatre, including an eye-watering bed of nails routine that left even the hardiest onlookers ? a crew from Australia's Channel 7 TV - gasping with disbelief.

Coronation Street stars Tina O'Brien (Sarah-Louise) and Nikki Sanderson (Candice) were among the first passengers to witness the entertainments, which have been specially chosen with a Commonwealth theme in mind. The girls had just got back from a fashion shoot in Grand Bahama and looked a little surprised when greeted by the unicycling antics of British circus tricksters, What A Palaver ? Rob Sim, 41, and Ian Adcock, 40.

But the Corrie starlets missed the highlight of WAP's routine - the infamous bed of nails. Rob was unfazed by the airport passengers roped in to stand on him as he lay on the nails, saying: "My personal best is 24 stone. He was a big lad and, to be honest, I was a bit scared when he came over and asked to stand on me but he was the son of the guy who'd booked us so I didn't like to say no."

The duo were also a big hit with Team Canada competitors, whose arrival was met by a rendition of the classic Canadian tune, The Maple Leaf Rag, by one of the airport's other acts, New Orleans-style jazz band, French Connection. Wisely, they opted for Waltzing Matilda when the Australians arrived.

In fact, the Aussie Outback hit Manchester later in the day, thanks to some 'fair dinkum' didgeridoo music from The Didge Guru, Pat Maloney. And solo artist Cameron Hinds represented the West Indies, with sultry reggae and Caribbean-infused rock.

Manchester Airport Managing Director John Spooner said: "It is great to see the airport so alive with the spirit of the Games. We pride ourselves on offering great service and a warm welcome to all our passengers and I think everyone here is enjoying the carnival atmosphere."

Manchester Airport Chairman Councillor Brian Harrison said: "We are an official sponsor of the Commonwealth Games and the Cultureshock programme of arts events so we wanted to offer the athletes and other visitors to the Games a really wonderful and exciting welcome to Manchester."

The entertainment runs to July 26 for the main Commonwealth Games arrivals and then again on August 5 and 6 for their departures.