BLACKPOOL'S night sky blazed into life for another year on Friday night (August 31) as pop stars Steps became the 59th guests to flick the big illuminations switch in the town's Talbot Square.

Joining the famous five were Emma Bunton, former Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti Pellow and Rochdale songbird Lisa Stansfield.

A reported 20,000 people packed the resort to enjoy the spectacle.

A soldier style operation kept the crowds at bay with six foot high metal fencing and plenty of security staff, but not everyone was happy with the strict safety regime.

Mrs Heppell of St Annes wrote a scathing letter to the Citizen complaining: "Access was denied to ordinary people and young families who had come to see the stars perform. As roads and pavements were barricaded off people couldn't even gain access to the restaurants they'd booked meals at.

"When the steel fences went up people couldn't see through them, even children straining to catch a distant glimpse of Steps had a job, perched high on parent's shoulders.

Head of tourism, Jane Seddon, said: "With regard to the security team of Rock Steady, we briefed all of them fully on allowing access to restaurants and businesses within the event area." She said the barriers and metal fencing were a safety measure, and added: "I sympathise with the distress Ms Heppell and her family must have felt at not being able to see the event and I'm sorry they could not access an area that was already holding 8,500 people -- the maximum number allowed."