A PENDLE landmark is to be lit up after thousands of pounds of funding was granted to pay for floodlights.

One of the main "gateways" into Colne, the railway viaduct, looks set to have floodlights by August once the designs have been completed.

Three floodlights will be placed under the three central arches of the viaduct, which was built in the 1850s, with the £5,000 of funding from the Railway Heritage Trust, Colne Market Town Partnership "Colne Connected" and the Colne Neighbourhood Management Team with the support of Pendle Borough Council.

The timings for the lighting have not yet been decided yet but the hours will be agreed with Network Rail to ensure the safety of trains and the needs of the local residents, said David Penney, a member of the social committee and environmental group of Colne Connected, which is behind the plans.

Mr Penney said: "This will improve the gateway into Colne.

"The viaduct is a major structure in the town and marks the skyline as it stands in the foreground.

"The lights are being designed to fit in with the size of the arches and the running costs will be minimal. It will be good visible thing as people approach Colne and they see the railways arches lighting up the foreground.

"We have had a few hurdles to cross, having had to get Network Rail and Northern Rail to agree to the project. But it has been worth it because it will give the town something distinctive."

The group has also commissioned a graphic design logo which will go on tourism signs promoting the town.

The logo, which will have silhouettes of landmarks Colne is best known for -terraced houses, the town hall with the viaduct in the foreground - will be placed on signs.

"We want people to associate Colne with this image so any signs for the town will have this on them.

"It will be used to promote Colne as a destination for tourism and give people a sense of identity in the town."