Saltburn pier and lower promenade is to be floodlit as part of a £750,000 scheme.

Work is due to start next week on a four-month feature-lighting project for the pier, cliff lift, amusement arcade and chalets.

Redcar and Cleveland Council, working in partnership with Groundwork, said the lower promenade lighting would be switched on from dusk to midnight.

It is understood the lighting will also take in the controversial seafront building, back in business after lying unused for three years; its first tenant is now fitting out his unit.

The council said a major part of the investment came after the Tees Valley Coastal Arc, an partnership between the council and Hartlepool Council, secured £600,000 funding from the regional development agency, One NorthEast.

There is a further £150,000 from the council, its neighbourhood renewal fund allocation and its project partners, the Learning and Skills Council, the Wise group, the Friends of Saltburn Pier and Saltburn Pier Entertainments.

The top promenade, receiving the bulk of the investment, will have visitor gardens with art features, sensory gardens and disabled access. The project will also offer seven young job-seekers training and experience by helping with the work.

Coun Vera Moody, the council's cabinet member for economic development, said: "These enhancements will be a big boost for Saltburn and the surrounding area.

"The promenade will be a safer, more attractive place to spend time once the work is complete and the project is an excellent example of the council working in partnership to deliver social and economic improvements across the borough."

The first phase of the work will install the feature lighting, taking up to four months to complete. The top promenade work is due to start in May and will take up to 11 months.

The funding will also pay for design work on further lighting schemes around Saltburn. The development of further schemes is dependent on any necessary planning permission as well as additional regeneration funding being secured.

The proposals follow consultations with local communities specialists.