MUSICIANS from Dorset have played a leading role in a new song supporting UNESCO's International year of Light campaign.

The song Rainbow of Light has been penned by Linda Lamon, who until recently lived in Bere Regis, and recorded by bass player Pip Evans, who is also from the village, as well as guitarist Callum Gibson from Ringwood.

Linda's song is being performed by internationally renowned soprano Katerina Mina and will be open the International Year of Light event in Cyprus later this month.

UNESCO (the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) International Year of Light will be celebrated with events all around the world.

The UN General Assembly declared 2015 as the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies following a resolution in December 2013.

The resolution recognises the importance of raising global awareness about how light-based technologies promote sustainable development and provide solutions to global challenges in energy, education, agriculture and health.

The International Year of Light aims to promote improved public and political understanding of the central role of light in the modern world.

The campaign also support the Globe At Night initiative, which encourages people to go outside an hour after dark between Wednesday and Friday, March 20 to measure the brightness of their night sky.

The 2014 Globe At Night saw more than 18.500 readings submitted via globeatnight.org from 97 countries around the world.

Linda was inspired to write the song for the International Year of Light after attending the international astronomy festival 'Starmus' in Tenerife last September, where she also met Katerina who performed at the closing ceremony.

She said: "The lyrics are made up from key words I picked up from the speakers at Starmus, who included Richard Dawkins, Stephen Hawking, Dr Brian May and astronaut Charlie Duke.

"I am not a scientist, but the festival really opened my mind about the universe and our planet, so I wanted to try and convey my message to others in a simple way with song."

The song can be heard at soundcloud.com For more information about UNESCO's International Year of Light visit light2015.org