A WELL-KNOWN local figure returned to shed new light on her home city at the weekend.

Musician and broadcaster Lauren Laverne joined city council leader Paul Watson at the launch event for this year’s Sunderland Illuminations bringing to life a spectacular array of installations and projections.

A laser display lit up the evening skies on the city’s sea front, with the crowds clamouring to view exciting new features to the annual display, including a sea of stars, a dalek and Tardis, from the long-running tv sci-fi series, Doctor Who.

There were also 3D projections of highlights of the history of Sunderland beamed onto the Cliffe Park lighthouse on Cliffe Park, dancing fountains and lights, caves with skeletons and gremlins, plus a range of fun family activities.

Coun Watson described it as, “a fantastic occasion”.

He said: “The Sunderland Illuminations is rapidly developing into something truly special for the city and our fantastic coastline.

“Its arguably the biggest event of its type in the North-East and is something we should not only go along to and enjoy, but also be proud of as it puts the city firmly on the map.”

Last year almost 150,000 people visited the event and this year organisers hope the new features will help to equal or better that figure.

The lights will be shining from Thursdays to Sundays until November 1, from 4 - 10pm, and every evening during the school half-term week in late October.