THOUSANDS are expected to turn up in Blackpool for the big switch on of this year’s illuminations.

The weekend events start with a concert on Friday by The Vamps, featuring special guest performers Lawson, Toploader, Only the Young and Becky Hill.

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The lights will be switched on by Hollywood’s Tim Burton, the legendary film director who has been a regular visitor to Blackpool choosing to shoot scenes for US band The Killers music video Here with Me and his latest film Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children in the resort.

The Friday night switch on kicks off a weekend of events at the Blackpool Tower Festival Headland.

The Saturday morning sees children’s TV favourite CBBC decamping to Blackpool to broadcast live along with a special family show taking place on the Promenade featuring Danger Mouse: Attack of the Toilets, the much-anticipated remake of the 1980s’cartoon.

Blue Peter presenter Barney Harwood will also be on hand to greet fans.

On Saturday night the iFest Saturday Vintage Pop is presented by legendary Fun House star Pat Sharp, with Bananarama, Jason Donovan, Paul Young, Limahl, Owen Paul, Jive Bunny and T’Pau performing.

Gillian Campbell, deputy leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Having one of the most famous film directors in the world to turn on the Blackpool Illuminations is a major coup.”

The lights are on until November 8.