POPSTAR Lucie Silvas, Rovers goalkeeper Brad Friedel and the mayor turned on Blackburn's Christmas lights yesterday -- or did they?

While they were still counting down to press the button on stage in front of almost 1,000 people, the lights sparked to life with a bang thanks to an impressive fireworks display.

But undeterred the celebrities carried on with the countdown and went ahead with the 'switch on' at around 5.15pm.

The minor hiccup did not detract from an entertaining show, hosted by Rock FM DJ Adam Catterall.

Lucie Silvas, whose debut album went platinum with sales of more than 350,000, sang top 10 hits Breathe In, What You're Made of and her new single Forget Me Not.

The 26-year-old Londoner, who has also written songs for Liberty X and Gareth Gates, said: "I have been trying to break through for 10 years so it is really nice to be involved in things like this. I have never been to Blackburn before and it was nice to be invited."

The crowd were also entertained with some carols from Blackburn People's Choir, while the cast of King George's Hall's pantomime Snow Queen

also took the stage. Rovers' American star Brad Friedel, fresh from his side's goal-less draw with Manchester City on Saturday, was jokingly probed by Adam Catterall on the team's 'bully boy' reputation.

Asked who was the hardest player, Friedel said: "Andy Todd is fairly hard. He is one of the nicest fellows out there but he is a hard man."

And Coun Yusuf Jan-Virmani, Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, added to the sense of fun by stealing a line from TV talent show X Factor - shouting "It's Chico time".

Afterwards he said: "It was brilliant. There was a good turnout from people in the town and it was nice to celebrate. All the young people I spoke to enjoyed it and entertaining the children is what it is all about."