Coronation Street star Tracy Shaw wowed Bradford when she turned on the city's record-breaking Christmas illuminations.

Hundreds of people turned out last night to watch the 750,000-light illuminations - the best display ever - switched on in a carnival atmosphere in Centenary Square.

The turn-out was hailed as the best in years and traders welcomed the crowds for the city's first late-night shopping evening in the build-up to Christmas.

"Snow" fell after the switching-on - although the rest of the city was dry because a hi-tech snow-making machine had been brought in to create a festive scene.

Tracy was full of praise for the city's illuminations, saying: "Bradford is definitely the best. It's wonderful. This will take a lot of beating by other cities."

Hundreds of people packed Centenary Square for the big celebrations, which included ice-skating and a funfair.

Pop singers Tony Monrelle and Adam Austin also took part.

There was street entertainment, face-painting and children's rides and the Scala Kids performed songs from Grease.

People were also able to dance to pop music in a big Christmas party in the Square.

The switching-on ceremony was heralded by a spectacular firework display.

City leaders hailed the event as the best for years. Council leader Councillor Ian Greenwood said: "It is great to see so many people having such a good time."

Former city centre manager Richard Willoughby added: "It would have been impossible to have held this event five years ago because there was no Centenary Square."

As shoppers took advantage of late-night opening, Jeff Frankel, the chairman of Bradford Retail Action Group, said he believed trade was "up to expectation."

Frank Eizens, manager of WH Smith in Broadway, said: "We were well pleased with the reaction from shoppers.

"There was a good flow of trade throughout the evening, right up to nine o'clock."

Tony Henry, chief executive of Sunwin House, said: "The Christmas lights switch-on created a lot of excitement, which helped our trade."

Shoppers appear to be stocking up on records and CDs. Andy Baxter, manager of the HMV music store in Broadway, said custom was up 25 per cent on the same Thursday last year.

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