CANDLES were lit to remember those who have died at a service at Blackburn Cathedral.

Hundreds of people attended the Lights of Love service, organised by Derian House Children’s Hospice.

Abigail Orme, 12, who goes to the Chorley-based hospice, did the honours of turning on the lights as part of the moving service.

Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, performed a reading of Christmas Bells by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Sir Lindsay was joined by TV actor and Derian House supporter Ben Batt and Radio Lancashire presenter John Gilmore, who also took part in the festive service.

Music was provided by the Rawstorne Singers, a choir established for more than 30 years with members from across Lancashire.

The charity’s very own choir made up of staff and volunteers, the Derian Voices, also performed Remember Me from Disney Pixar film Coco and Make your Own Kind of Music.

And the crowd joined in with a poignant candle-lit rendition of Silent Night.

David Robinson, chief executive of Derian House, said: “Lights of Love is always a very moving evening where we celebrate the lives of family and friends no longer with us.

“It’s also a wonderful chance for us to look back at what we have achieved over the year, and a time to celebrate all the wonderful memories we’ve been able to give to our families thanks to the kind donations of our supporters.”