VISITORS will see two of the region’s best-loved landmarks in a new light after the completion of a £600,000 project.

New lighting has been installed at Durham Castle and Durham Cathedral to replace a previous illumination system in place since the 1970s.

Around 130 new lights have been installed at the cathedral and around 110 at the castle, which will be switched on at a ceremony on February 20.

New lighting for the World Heritage Site was designed by Stainton Lighting Design Services Ltd of Thornaby and installed by AK Lighting and Signs of West Auckland.

The new eco-friendly replacements are low-energy emitting diode (LED) lights - expected to reduce energy consumption by up to 80 per cent and allow more flexible control.

Bob Young, cabinet member for strategic environment at Durham County Council, said: "These two buildings are the jewels in the crown of the Durham City skyline and this successful lighting project will allow them to shine together".

Linda Marshall, Chairman of Durham County Council, will officially switch on the new lights at a celebration evening on Wednesday, February 20.

The free event will be held at the cathedral from 7.30pm and will give people the chance to not only see the new outside lighting but also enjoy a more unconventional experience of the inside of this historic building.

A ‘sound sculpture’ – Gabrieli à 2(2), a contemporary interpretation of a 17th Century sonata written for St Mark’s Basilica in Venice – will be created inside the cathedral.

To reserve a place, email visitor.centre@dur.ac.uk or telephone 0191 334 3805.