EASTER egg-citement filled Blackburn town centre as egg-straordinary entertainers got shoppers in the holiday mood.

The six-foot Easter bunny was the biggest hit for children. Dressed in a floral pinny, the cuddly creature handed out mini chocolate eggs to youngsters in Blackburn shopping centre on Saturday.

Lorenzo the Clown and Mrs E drove their magical, musical car in Blackburn shopping centre and King William Street, while the acrobatic, Artizani, gave three performances of juggling and balancing on a slack rope. A Dutch Street organ played in King William Street and the Railway Engineer demonstrated his model trains at Victoria Court.

Children learnt how to paint eggs at the Early Learning Centre, Stonybutts Mall, where staff raised cash for the NSPCC through bead making and face painting.

Grown-ups also had reason to celebrate when makers of 100 real ales, cider and perries came to town for a beer and folk music festival in King George's Hall.

The four-day festival ended on Easter Saturday, with music by Irish-influenced Darwen band Gone Beggin', guitar vocalist Ken Nicol and Scottish group The Fife.