Olympic heroes light up Blackpool

Team GB Olympic heroes Greg Rutherford, Luke Campbell and Beth Tweddle have flicked the switch to turn on this year's Blackpool Illuminations.

The trio lit up the town for the Lancashire resort's annual switch-on extravaganza.

Liverpool gymnast Tweddle secured a bronze medal on the uneven bars at the 2012 Olympics, making her the most decorated British gymnast in history.

On Super Saturday Rutherford became the first Briton to win Olympic gold in the long-jump since 1964 and amateur boxer Campbell won gold in the bantamweight division.

The sporting heroes took to the stage for the big switch-on at the climax of an evening's entertainment, including performances from The X Factor-winning girl band Little Mix, Amy MacDonald and Noisettes.

Natalie Wyatt, managing director of Marketing Blackpool, said: "2012 is a platinum year for Blackpool Illuminations as it is the centenary of our world-famous lights, so it is only fitting that some of our British Olympic heroes kick off the celebrations for us.

"2012 is a year which the whole of Great Britain will remember so it is wonderful that Blackpool's historic year will also be celebrated with such inspiring people."