NEWLYWEDS Gareth and Jessica Bull celebrated their honeymoon in a blaze of lights as VIP guests at the Blackpool Illuminations switch-on last night.

Darwen-born Gareth, 23, who emigrated with his family to Australia seven years ago, brought his bride to show her the sights of Lancashire and meet the rest of his family.

They are staying with grandparents Jessie and John Whittaker, of Darwen, who spotted a competition for VIP tickets on a recent trip to the resort.

Jessie recalled how Gareth used to love the lights when he was a boy and wrote a letter about why he should win the prize.

Jessie said: "They were absolutely thrilled to bits and Gareth was pleased because Spice Girl Geri Halliwell was switching the lights on.

"He used to love going to to the illuminations when he was a boy and we had already booked them into a hotel in Blackpool as a wedding present."

Gareth and Jessica were taken to the resort's Imperial Hotel before going to the switch-on and then taken back to the hotel for dinner and dancing.

The pair were married on August 15 and flew to England for a month two days later. So far they have seen the sights of London, Torquay and Wales and are now touring Lancashire. Around 20,000 people turned out to watch last night's ceremony, which was hosted by Radio 2 DJ Mark Radcliffe. This year marks the 125th anniversary of the illuminations which will see the six miles of Promenade lit up every night until November 7.

As she flicked the switch, Geri said: "This is such an honour for me because you guys have embraced me like one of your own and it's a pleasure for me to turn you on."

The illuminations cost £2.4million to stage and the equipment itself is worth about £10million with more than a million lamps in the display.

The lights are expected to attract more than 3.5million visitors to Blackpool during their nine week run - including tens of thousands from across East Lancashire.