Frustrated County Durham residents have taken to social media to express their anger after they claim the site to register for Lumiere tickets "crashed" several times.

Surging demand for tickets to Durham's Lumiere Light Festival set to dazzle the region this November has left some customers disappointed, claiming the site "crashed" multiple times.

Residents in County Durham who had registered on the Lumiere site were granted access to the site at 10am yesterday morning (October 3) to register for free tickets at "peak times".

Read more: What's on at Durham's Lumiere festival 2023 - a guide

The Northern Echo: ‘PLANETOÏDS’, Pitaya. Fête des Lumières 2021.‘PLANETOÏDS’, Pitaya. Fête des Lumières 2021. (Image: Vincent Laganier)

The rest of the general public will have access to tickets on October 4 at 10am. 

Whilst the festival is free, customers wishing to access the artwork in Durham City Centre between 4:30pm and 7:30pm must register for tickets online.

However, some customers say they have failed to get access to the site after waiting "hours" to register, taking to organiser Artichoke's Facebook page to complain.

One customer said: "(The site) is struggling already, been crashed out numerous times right up to confirming address and now saying no user exists with my email address."

Another added: "Is there any actuality any point? Waited twice for tickets both times cut off when I got down to 600ish."

Later in the evening, another person said the site was "still not working".

Following the disruption, Lumiere's site has updated with a pop-up message apologising to customers who are waiting in queues of over 500 people to gain access.

"We appreciate your patience... Please be advised that there are currently long wait times to book.  There are tickets left for every day and time slot."

The Northern Echo: ‘Body of Light’, Shuster Moseley.‘Body of Light’, Shuster Moseley. (Image: LUMIERE 2023)

This year will see Lumiere return after its last festival in 2021 for its tenth anniversary and was hailed its "best yet".

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Thirty-seven installations were spread across the city, but this year this is set to expand and include, for the first time, Bishop Auckland. 

From 4.30pm to 11pm each night, the city will become a nocturnal art experience hosting works made with light on its streets, bridges, buildings and river - from the bustling Market Place, to Durham Cathedral’s UNESCO World Heritage site, historic Bishop Auckland town centre and the prestigious Durham University campus.