PROBABLY THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH

It’s finally here folks - Britain’s biggest extravaganza of the year kicks off on Tyneside

WITH whistles, bangs and showers of confetti, the Great Exhibition of the North exploded into action yesterday, with crowds of thousands joining the party.

The event of the year – the biggest to be seen in Britain – made its spectacular debut in the national spotlight where it aims to remain for the next 80 days.

Newcastle Quayside was packed with families who had snapped up free tickets to the launch and, as the atmosphere built from 7pm, they were treated to street entertainment with performers and music in the build-up to the eagerly-awaited switch-on of the showpiece water sculpture on the Tyne.

And as the dancing water jets shot into the sky, a mix of music by Maximo Park, Kate Rusby, Royal Northern Sinfonia and Darkstar was followed by a glittering firework finale. Having been talked about for months, the Great Exhibition’s launch proved every bit as stunning as it had promised to be, with other stand-out moments including the sight of local favourites Maximo Park playing as they floated on a platform down the Tyne and a surprise drone display as words of celebration lit up the night sky.

The buzz had started in the city earlier in the day, as last-minute preparations were carried out on both sides of the river.

The weather could not have been better as official guests from the wider North, including international media, gathered at Sage Gateshead before enjoying a taster of the upcoming main event on the quayside.

At 1pm – the time marking the Great Exhibition’s official across the city – they and surprised passers-by were treated to the sight of water shooting high into the sky as the fountain leapt into action and cannons fired pink and blue confetti over the gathering crowds.

Elsewhere across the city, the launch

was marked by the sound of a 1pm whistle – an art installation which will sound at the same time every day of the event – and the opening of the new exhibitions, city trails and events which are set to attract around 3m visitors – including the Prime Minister – over the course of the 80-day run.

Doors opened on new exhibitions at host venues, including Discovery Museum where first visitors, who included The Animals’ Eric Burdon, saw Stephenson’s Rocket – now back in its home city for the first time in more than 100 years.

More high-profile figures had turned out the previous night for a preview of the Which Way North exhibition at Great North Museum: Hancock where exhibits included Damien Hurt’s shark and the spacesuit worn by Helen Sharman, the first British astronaut.

Among the guests was Brendan Foster who said: “If people just come to this exhibition, they will see the value of the Great Exhibition of the North.”

And Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah added: “It’s an amazing exhibition that will make every northerner proud of what is the best region in the world.”

Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for digital, culture, media and sport, was a special guest at the preview and told how he is looking forward to Theresa May seeing the Great Exhibition when she hosts a whole cabinet meeting here next month.

Michael Ellis MP was also in the city to watch rehearsals ahead of the launch, and said everything looked “amazing”.

“It’s going to be wonderful,” he said. “And what’s important is the legacy of this which will be long-lasting.

“We will have a legacy from this for years and years to come.”