IT'S Blackpool's big weekend of the year!

The town is expected to be packed as thousands of tourists arrive to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Blackpool Illuminations.

As well as Friday night's extravaganza, featuring switch-on start Geri Halliwell and the Radio 2 roadshow, a series of events are planned for Saturday night.

Central beach will come alive on Saturday, with a spectacular 'Beach of Fire,' featuring 30ft high dancing flames, amazing fire twirlers, illuminated sandcastles and pyrotechnics.

Giant sandcastles will be built from 6pm, with entertainment from 8pm to 9.45pm, including a parade of powerful illuminated Honda Goldwing motorbikes along the Golden Mile.

However, Blackpool Council has warned of some disruption and road closures around Friday's switch on ceremony. From 4pm to 10.30pm vehicles will be prohibited from entering Bonny Street (between Chapel Street and New Bonny Street), New Bonny Street (between Central Drive and the Promenade), Reads Avenue at its junction with Central Drive for Northbound traffic and the Promenade(between Talbot Square and Chapel Street).

There will also be disruptions to Central Drive between Reads Avenue and Albert Road.

The area of Central Car Park bound by Coral Island and Bonny Street Market will be closed from 6pm tonight (Thursday) until 10am Saturday. A section of Bonny Street Car Park will be reserved for contractors vehicles and the use of the car park will be restricted after 4pm on Friday.

There will be diversions to the Blackpool Transport Lines 5,6,7 and 14 from 4pm onwards.