Architectural lighting has been installed at one of Chester’s key gateways, illuminating the iconic Newgate Bridge each evening.

The bridge, which forms part of Chester Walls and overlooks the city’s famous amphitheatre, has already had a facelift over the last year as part of the European Portico Project.

This has included the installation of interpretation panels and the opening up of the Newgate Towers for visitors to explore.

Now, as part of a Chester Renaissance project, the monument is coming to life at night as the archway of the bridge is lit with colour-changing LED lights.

The bridge has been lit with a series of ground-mounted uplighters and spotlights which provide subtle illumination and help emphasise the architectural detail of the bridge, including its three sets of coats of arms.

Lighting also extends to the Wolfgate arch and the ruins in the park, which was the original gate to the city in this area, and to the ruins of the South East Angle tower located next to the Newgate.

Spotlights have been installed using the nearby street lights columns which pick out the heraldry work over the Newgate arch.

The project involved Chester Renaissance working in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council with Bam Nuttall as the main contractor.

Cllr Lynn Riley, executive member for Localities, said: “This scheme continues a programme of significant investment in Chester's heritage and the new lighting has been designed to highlight the city’s wonderful monuments and add to Chester’s ambience during the evenings.

“Showing off the city to its best is good news for residents as well as our many tourists and I am sure will be enjoyed and be as successful as our other projects at the Eastgate clock, the suspension bridge and amphitheatre.”

Newgate was designed by Sir Walter and Michael Tapper. Built of reinforced concrete and faced with red sandstone, it was opened in 1938. It has a single wide archway flanked by towers and is a fine example of 1930s Gothic Revival architecture.

Ward Cllr Samantha Dixon added: “The lighting helps to extend the welcome to day and nighttime visitors, allowing them to be able to view the city’s historic buildings and attractions during the evening.”