Brilliance is set to bring just such an experience to Blackpool town centre.

It is part of the £3.5m regeneration by light scheme which has already seen the town hall lit up after dark and a spectacular laser show launched from the top of the Tower.

Now, phases three and four of the project are just weeks away.

Thirty new lighting columns, with moving head projectors capable of a 270 degree arc, will be installed in Church Street, Corporation Street and Clifton Street in coming months.

The first two will be in place on Church Street in time for the September 6 opening of the Houndshill extension, while the rest are due to be ready by the October half term.

Meanwhile phase four will see Birley Street fitted with six arches, each with three projectors, capable of producing a sound and light show likened to the spectacular visual extravaganza which attracts visitors to Fremont Street in Las Vegas.

That is due to be operational in time for the Showzam festival next February.

The schemes are aimed at building on the Illuminations by creating year-round lighting features but will also breathe new life into areas which could otherwise be overshadowed by the Houndshill development.

Town hall chiefs are anxious to ensure that no part of the town centre is overlooked in the strategy to increase the number of customers for all traders.

Alan Cavill, assistant director of enterprise and business development at Blackpool Council, said: "We want to aim this at families who will be able to sit in the cafes on Birley Street and enjoy the show after dark.

"During the hours of darkness the show would be on for about 10 minutes once every half hour depending on how it has been programmed. We believe it will attract people to stay longer in the town centre, especially in the run-up to Christmas and during the January sales."

Blackpool-based lighting designer Greg Mclennahan, whose credits include world indoor disco lighting champion, will programme the displays named Brilliance after consultation with local college students.