SCORES of people took to the streets of Blaenavon over the weekend to celebrate the town's World Heritage Site status.

Almost ten months after UNESCO awarded the accolade to the town and the surrounding area, Torfaen county borough council, Cadw (the Welsh historic monuments group), the World Heritage Partnership, Blaenavon town council and a host of sponsors joined forces to mark the occasion.

They held a two-day event, featuring two evening Son et Lumiere performances and an historic parade on Saturday afternoon.

Large crowds gathered at Blaenavon Ironworks on Friday and Saturday nights for the two-hour Son et Lumiere, which depicted the story of the area through spectacular sound and light displays. Our picture shows 'Children of the Furnace' watching the ironworks being brought 'back to life'.

A narrator told of the advent of the Industrial Revolution, while dazzling lasers and fireworks added effects to whisk the viewers back to the ironworks' heyday in the 18th century, showing the smoke, sparks and steam as molten iron was poured into moulds over the furnace. Gradually, the story was brought to the present day and the announcement the town had been waiting four years to hear - that it was to join the likes of the Eiffel Tower and the Egyptian Pyramids as a World Heritage Site.

At its finale was another spectacular fireworks display to accompany the singing of the Welsh national anthem by Blaenavon Male Voice Choir and Ladies' Choir accompanied by the strains of the Blaenavon Town Band.

On Saturday, the sun and the crowds came out in force for an historical parade through the streets.

Locals dressed in period costume gathered in Broad Street for the parade, before enjoying the rest of the entertainment laid on in the town centre.

Dance displays, stalls, a craft fair and Punch and Judy show were among the attractions held in the cordoned-off street.

The weekend events followed a visit by the Prince of Wales earlier this year to witness their achievement and a Day of Welsh Pride organised by local people to celebrate their heritage.

Just a few weeks ago, there was also a re-enactment of the Blaenavon riots in the streets of the town.

A spokeswoman for Torfaen county borough council said after the events: "This weekend was a real people's celebration and hopefully will form part of a new calendar of events for Blaenavon."