SOME of of Scarborough's best-known landmarks are to be floodlit to give the resort a new night-time look and boost its tourist business.

The Rotunda Museum, overlooking South Bay, has become the first to be illuminated and the Spa Bridge, lighthouse and Toll House are due to have their big switch-on in the next few weeks, says Gordon Somerville, Scarborough Borough Council's head of planning services.

The council is to give grants to English Rose Hotels, to illuminate The Royal Hotel, and to the 800-year-old cliff-top church of St Mary's. The Stephen Joseph Theatre famed as the home of top playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn, is in line for funding to restore neon lights, and, says Mr Somerville, the owners of the Grand Hotel in South Bay have agreed to go ahead with a floodlighting scheme.

"This is very good news indeed," he said, "because the building is one of the most important in the floodlighting strategy."

Grants totalling more than £20,000 are to be given under the council's lighting initiative.

However, hopes of encouraging property owners in The Crescent, Sandside and Eastborough to illuminate their premises have met with little success.

The town hall, Central Library, market hall and Valley Bridge are also in line for floodlighting schemes in the near future