The chart-topping pair have recorded a special welcome to visitors to Brilliance in Birley Street – and have created a montage of their hits, which has been programmed into the high-tech sound and lighting experience.

Chris Lowe, who is from Blackpool and a formed Arnold pupil, and Neil Tennant tell people: "Welcome to the Brilliance sound and light show here in Blackpool.

"The show features some of our most loved music.

"We hope you enjoy the show."

The £3.5m scheme, which takes its inspiration from Freemont Street in Las Vegas, has taken more than 60,000 man hours to create.

Lighting designer Greg McLenahan has overseen the project.

He said: "We asked the Pet Shop Boys if they would do something for us and they agreed, which is fantastic.

"They haven't yet seen it in action but hopefully they will be able to come to Blackpool to see it.

"It's great to see how people react to Brilliance.

"People appear out of nowhere on even the dampest, darkest night and just start dancing! It has become a tourist magnet already.

"What we have created is not only a light show, but an arena for events."

Six steel arches, each 11 metres in height and fitted with amplifiers and projectors make up Brilliance, which has been funded by European money, the Government and the Northwest Regional Development Agency.

Work has been dogged by technical problems, which meant the arches had to be redesigned. Eventually the street will be flagged in the same block paving that has been laid in nearby St John's Square.

The plaza is also lit up, with the stained glass windows of St John's Church magically illuminated from within, The Wave sculpture emitting a bluey-green glow, and the multi-coloured dancing fountains all combining to bring the area to life after dark.

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