People are being invited to put forward their ideas for an 'exciting' new lighting scheme for Weymouth seafront.

As reported, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council has been granted £200,000 towards a new lighting scheme from Dorset County Council's 'Dorset Coastal Connections' project, with the design set to be "based upon the aspirations of the local community."

A bid for funding was made following concerns about the loss of the fairy lights which used to twinkle along the promenade.

A new scheme could see a modern version of the fairy lights, if this is what the community wants.

Council chiefs announced a planned overhaul of the seafront lighting in a U-turn decision in April this year, which could see the end of the controversial green lasers that were brought in six years ago. 

Now, residents and visitors are being urged to head along to drop-in sessions with members of the Dorset Coast Forum to have their say on the scheme as part of a new approach by the council. 

The lighting design is set to be based around the ideas of residents, aimed at improving views of the seafront, creating a "welcoming" atmosphere for evening visitors and promoting a positive image of Weymouth.

Project co-ordinator Natalie Poulter said: “This is an exciting project providing an opportunity to enhance the views, atmosphere and image of Weymouth seafront, linking the three distinct character areas of the promenade from Greenhill to the Pavilion through artist-designed lighting. 

"Understanding the thoughts and feelings of the local community and visitors is essential to this project and will help the project team get the right result for Weymouth”. 

The first engagement session takes place tomorrow from 1.30pm until 4.30pm on the Esplanade opposite the King's Statue.

The two following drop-in sessions will be held during two evenings in September with details to be announced at a later date. 

Anyone who cannot make the sessions can find further information and have their say by completing an online survey about the Weymouth promenade lighting project at www.dorsetcoasthaveyoursay.co.uk/weymouth-promenade-lighting.

The initial consultation will close on September 30 and feedback will be fed into the design process in hopes that the lighting scheme reflects the views of the community and visitors to Weymouth. 

Final installation of the lighting scheme is planned for spring 2019.