Councillors have given the green light to a new artistic lighting scheme on Weymouth seafront.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's (WPBC) planning committee narrowly voted in favour of the plans this afternoon.

The £200,000 project, funded by the Dorset Coastal Forum and designed by Tonkin Liu, will see approximately 30 vertical lighting strips placed along the seafront offering around ten different ‘animations’ of slow-moving ambient lighting.

WPBC will now appoint a contractor to supply and install the new lighting scheme, with plans for it to be in place by spring 2019.

The Weymouth seafront lighting scheme is part of Dorset Coastal Connections, a portfolio of 18 connected projects which aim to 'improve physical, digital and emotional connections to the coast in Dorset.'

Dorset Coastal Connections project coordinator Nikki Parker-Goadsby said: "We are delighted that the scheme has been approved and that the community and visitors to Weymouth’s beautiful seafront will next year be able to enjoy a walk along the prom with the new lighting scheme in place."

Cllr Richard Kosior, borough council spokesman for tourism, culture and harbour said: "Using contemporary lighting technology on existing structures, the designers have been able to create a scheme that is both modern and artistic. I believe they will be an excellent enhancement to the seafront."