MUSIC lovers made their way down the Promenade to Talbot Square on Friday night (August 29) for the resort's second party of the week.

Around 30,000 revellers packed out Talbot Road and Clifton Street to sing and shout as the West End's Michael Ball switched on this year's Illuminations.

Some fans, carrying roses and gifts for their idol, started arriving around lunchtime even though it was early evening before the entertainment got under way.

This year's line-up was slightly different to previous years with Radio Two taking over from Radio One as the hosts and established names coming to the resort in favour of newcomers.

DJ Andy Peebles took to the stage for the first hour with Geordie band Lindisfarne, before the turn of Whispering Bob Harris who welcomed Katrina and the Waves on stage to play their hit from yesteryear Walking On Sunshine.

The youth element was supplied by Irish boy band OTT singing their latest song All Out Of Love.

Then came veteran DJ Alan Fluff Freeman to introduce Barbara Dickson who entertained the crowds with Another Suitcase In Another Hall from Evita and Grapevine.

Music of a different kind came courtesy of Spanish guitar band Vibrations before the return of Katrina and the Waves with the Eurovision winner Love Shine A Light.

The loudest cheers of the night were, of course, saved for Michael Ball whose rendition of Something Is Coming earned almighty screams from fans before he flicked the switch which turned on five miles of Illuminations.

Michael even had a souvenir to take home with him - a giant stick of rock presented by Blackpool Mayor Fred Jackson.

Head of tourism Jane Seddon commented: "It was a brilliant night and everything went very smoothly.

"There was a good mixture of people, young and old, as well as families and we had a video wall on the Promenade for those who couldn't get near to Talbot Square."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.