Bognor seafront lights to be brighter and better

The umbrella stands will come to life for the first time at the big switch on weekend on April 18-20.

The low energy features will take the place of the kites that are on alternate columns between the Royal Norfolk Hotel and Gloucester Road.

However, the 1,000 cost for each display, means the Bognor Regis Seafront Lights volunteers are carrying out the project in two stages.

Every other lamppost between West Street and Lennox Street - six in total - will be tackled this year. The remaining displays will go in for 2009.

The kites, renewed last year after being installed in 2005, are drifting across the promenade to the north side of the seafront.

Meanwhile, 11 crown displays in Waterloo Square from the Queen's golden jubilee 2002 are to be given extra sparkle as fading yellow non-neon rope light is being replaced with much brighter clear LED rope light.

Lights technical officer Greg Burt said: "We are extremely excited by our new umbrella stand displays, which have been designed in-house and are therefore unique to the resort."

They had been designed as 3D shapes to enable them to be seen when looking along the promenade. Some of the existing kites were unable to be viewed because they were at 90 degrees to the seafront.

The new displays were also more energy efficient to help to keep down the ever-increasing electricity bills.

Mr Burt stated that putting the kites in a continuous run on The Esplanade's northern side would make them more striking than their previous locations interspersed with other designs.

This technique of grouping displays had proved popular with the palm trees which were revived last year and placed together along Gloucester Road.

All the 100-plus illuminations along more than two miles between West Park and Hotham Park will be switched on for 2008 at 9pm on April 19.

The occasion will take place outside the Royal Hotel after entertainment from performers such as the Regis Troopers.

This will be the centrepiece of a weekend, sponsored by Bognor Regis Town Council and the Bognor Regis Observer and supported by Arun District Council, which replaces the Here Comes Summer event.

The year's first public firework display will take to the sky once the switch has been pushed.

Another feature of the weekend will be Bognor's first Italian market. This will occupy the London Road precinct on April 18 and 19.