Pixie Lott gives Warrington Festival the wow factor

Crowds descend on Bank Park for the Warrington Festival concert headlined by Pixie Lott – PICTURE PAUL JACKSON

POP star Pixie Lott brought the wow factor to Warrington’s biggest ever Festival with an open air cocert at Bank Park in the grounds of the town’s historic town hall.

Warm up acts included local singer Ellie Dibben, from Lymm, indie band Viola Beach and 2015 X Factor favourite Kiera Weathers from St Helens.

A weekend of activities kicked off with Live @ Parr Hall on Friday – an event featuring a line-up of local bands across various genres and age groups with seven local acts creating an incredible evening of live music.

There was also a wealth of activity happening across the whole town including free swimming at Great Sankey Leisure Centre, a number of history strolls and a performance in the town centre to commemorate World War I.

More than 4,000 runners also descended on the town centre for the English Half Marathon, 10K, Corporate Challenge and LiveWire mile.

There was also be a hub of activity over at Warrington Museum and Art Gallery as the venue celebrated 160 years since the foundation stone of the building was laid.

Jan Souness, chairman of the festival steering group, said: “Warrington Festival was all about bringing the people of Warrington together to celebrate sport, culture and entertainment and most of all the communities and talent we have in the town.”

Cllr Terry O’Neill, leader of the borough council, said: “It’s been fantastic to see the whole town come alive over the past few weeks thanks to all the Warrington Festival events that have brought our communities together.”