Four of Strictly Come Dancing’s professionals kickstarted seven weeks of festive entertainment as the show descended on Blackpool.

Carlos Gu, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu and Neil Jones performed the opening ceremony for the outdoor village on the Tower Festival Headland.

The festive space includes a free skating rink, themed family attractions, food and drink huts, snowfalls, projection shows, light installations and festive tram rides.

Continuing for the next seven weeks this year is the biggest to date and offers extended opening hours for the free rink.

Kai Widdrington said: "Blackpool is a special place for the four of us. We used to compete in the Blackpool Tower and up in The Winter Gardens."

Children from the Blackpool Ice Dome Association performed a routine from their upcoming Christmas ice show, Snow White, which will be on show at the Pleasure Beach in December.

Children from Blackpool Ice Dome Association performed at the openingChildren from Blackpool Ice Dome Association performed at the opening (Image: Dave Nelson) Carlos Gu added: “I came here 14 years in a row, it’s one of my favourite towns – I love you guys, we all love you."

Additionally, performers from the Scream Theatre School joined the skaters and took to the stage with a lively mix of musical theatre and festive songs.

Scream Theatre School also performed at the openingScream Theatre School also performed at the opening (Image: Dave Nelson)

Last year, the event brought record visitor numbers on the seafront during the winter months.

In addition to the free-to-use skating rink, this year’s village will see an extended range of themed children’s attractions with new rides including a Snow Dome Waltzer, helter-skelter and German Swing Grill.

Also returning is the Star Flyer, which at 196ft tall, is one of Europe’s tallest swing rides.

The festive event is complemented by a full Illuminations display along the seafront after VisitBlackpool announced earlier this year that the Illuminations would once again be extended by two months to run from August 30 through to January 5.

Throughout the Christmas By The Sea season, people will be able to park for four hours at many Blackpool Council car parks for just £2.

It is run by Blackpool Council, Blackpool Transport and Triangle Attractions and this year Blackpool Transport will be unveiling a special themed tram, with more details to be released soon.