The only remaining pleasure pier on the North-East coast has been guaranteed a bright future.

Work has been completed by Redcar and Cleveland Council to illuminate Saltburn's Victorian Pier from dusk to midnight as part of their Lighting our Culture project.

Chairman of the National Pier Society, Anthony Wills, will be one of the invited guests to see the switch-on ceremony next month and hear about more work planned on the top promenade as part of a £750,000 total package of improvements.

Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity to encourage more tourism into the area and extend the tourism day."

The lighting also extends to the Cliff Lift, the Pier Amusements and the nearby chalets.

Michael Phillips, of Lighting Design and Consultancy of Durham, explained: "The fundamental concept was to express the structure of the Pier without damaging the valuable fabric - the innovation was to show the Pier in 'relief' against the lit sea as if in moonlight.

"The design was further developed to provide drama during rough weather conditions, lighting up breakers as they rolled in under the Pier."

The lights will be switched on by Friends of Saltburn Pier founder members Norman Bainbridge and Tony Lynn on Thursday, October 6, the day after Redcar's Cenotaph is illuminated in similar fashion.

Six months work on Saltburn's top promenade, being managed by Groundwork South Tees, will be underway in the next few weeks.

Improvements include the installation of a ramp for wheelchair and pushchair access, fossil gardens with art features, seating, new railings and surfacing throughout.