BIRMINGHAM finally turned on its Christmas lights yesterday, after the high-profile event turned sour when scores of people were injured in a crowd surge.

The lights went on during the city’s annual reindeer parade.

It was a low-key event compared to Saturday’s planned switch-on by X Factor stars JLS.

A free concert featuring several chart-topping acts had to be cancelled after four people needed hospital treatment and 60 others were injured when a crowd surged forward during the JLS performance, breaching a metal barrier put in place to protect members of the public.

The free event, also set to feature the Sugababes, Tinchy Stryder, Chipmunk, Little Boots and Alexandra Burke, was cancelled as paramedics set up a medical unit at Birmingham’s Millennium Point to treat the injured.

JLS say they are “devastated” by what had happened.

A statement on the band’s website, by group member Marvin, says: “We are so, so sad to see that people got injured at the gig .

“It was meant to be a great event with some other amazing acts on the bill and we’re just gutted that everyone’s day was spoilt.

“We just hope that everyone who was injured has a speedy recovery.”

An investigation has been launched by Birmingham City Council, which organised yesterday’s event.