Councillors have narrowly approved plans for a new artistic lighting scheme for Weymouth seafront.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's (WPBC) planning committee voted five to four in favour of the plans in a meeting on Wednesday.

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.

Several consultation events through the year have revealed a mixed reaction from the public, many of whom still long for the traditional fairy lights which preceded the lasers introduced for the 2012 Olympic Games.

A 1,500-name petition calling for the return of the fairy lights was brought before a meeting of the borough council in October, but it fell short of the 4,250 that were needed to force the council to debate the issue.

However others think the new lighting scheme it is a positive step forward in regenerating the seafront for residents and visitors.

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

The 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."

The final design is said to have incorporated feedback from the community. It has received support from WPBC's conservation officer who said: "The effort to unify the lighting scheme to the entire seafront is to be applauded."

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."