The world's first electric lighthouse is undergoing a spring clean.

Souter Lighthouse, situated between Sunderland and South Shields, was the first lighthouse in the world designed and built to be powered by electricity.

It opened in 1871 to become one of the wonders of the age and was decommissioned in 1988, before the National Trust acquired it and opened it to the public in 1990.

The iconic beacon, hooped in red and white, is now being spruced up ahead of the summer.

The spring clean comes ahead of a special event on June 22 when the cliff-tops at Souter will witness a large-scale performance devised by artists Lise Autogena and Joshua Portway.

The Foghorn Requiem celebrates the passing of the foghorn from the British coastal landscape and into maritime heritage with a musical performance.

It will involve an armada of vessels positioned offshore, the Souter Lighthouse Foghorn and on-shore musicians.

Nick Dolan, Souter Lighthouse property manager, said work was being carried out on metalwork and glass panes throughout the historic building.

He said: "It's especially important to get us pristine for the visitors over May half-term and the summer.

"As ever with a historic property like this it's all go to make sure we are looking pristine."