FIREWORKS lit up the sky to launch a major festival centred on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal (see picture).

Spectacular displays were held at venues across East Lancashire for the launch of Canal 2000, a year-long celebration of the 25-mile stretch of the canal from Barnoldswick to Blackburn.

The festival is being co-ordinated by Mid Pennine Arts and is backed by a wide range of local organisations, including British Waterways, Groundwork, Pendle, Burnley, Hyndburn and Blackburn with Darwen Councils, Lancashire County Council and the Prospects Foundation.

Four separate launch events were held over the Easter weekend, at Nova Scotia Wharf, Blackburn, Enfield Wharf, Clayton-le-Moors, Inn on the Wharf, Burnley and Foulridge Wharf, Foulridge.

Each featured fireworks, music and entertainment, and a visit by the canal boat Kennet carrying an exhibition about the history of the canal.

Children were invited to make their own paper sail boats and send a wish down the canal.

Ian Ormerod, chairman of Mid Pennine Arts, said: "We are celebrating the millennium and the canal, which has had such an impact on people's lives in East Lancashire."

Special events are planned throughout the year, including craft workshops, theatre performances, exhibitions and school projects.