SOAP opera star Vera Duckworth led the singing in the rain in Blackburn shopping centre.

A huge and happy crowd of 2,000 cheered as Coronation Street husband and wife Jack and Vera Duckworth switched on the Christmas lights.

Actors William Tarmey and Liz Dawn were joined by 'Allo 'Allo gendarme Arthur Bostrom, who was starring in pantomime at King George's Hall, Blackburn.

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