ONE of Dorset's most famous natural landmarks is set for an illuminating experience.

For one night only, on Thursday, October 1, Durdle Door will be lit up as lighting designers descend on the Jurassic Coast to celebrate the International Year of Light.

The Bournemouth based design team led by Michael Grubb will create a scene designed to be reminiscent of an impressionist painting by placing a person in a rowing boat under the iconic arch of Durdle Door.

Using a variety of lighting tricks, from a boat, the team plans to fill the arch with reflected light.

Additional lighting from the shore will also provide warmth to the landscape.

The rowing boat will leave shore at 6.10pm, with the lighting boat in place at 6.45pm.

This will join nine other lighting installations, all simultaneously lighting UNESCO World Heritage Sites across the UK and Ireland.

The ambitious plan by the Society of Light and Lighting (SLL) and the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) to ‘light map’ the UK will begin as the natural light fades.

Labelled the Night of Heritage Light (NoHL), the aim is to promote lighting as both an art form and a science by illuminating UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Other landmarks taking part include William the Conqueror’s Tower of London, Ironbridge Gorge, Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City and the Giant’s Causeway.

Mr Grubb explained that the challenge of lighting a location along the Jurassic Coast was too good an opportunity to pass, but with over 100 miles of coastline the selection process was not an easy one.

He said: "As part of the process we took a daytrip along the route, stopping over at numerous locations to admire the landscape and seek out possible lighting opportunities.

"We finally agreed on Durdle Door, which is arguably the most visually stunning and isolated spot we visited."

He added: "We are unable to rehearse in advance and are completely reliant on good weather conditions – so watch this space!"

SLL president Liz Peck said that the event will celebrate the skills of its members and promote UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

She adds: "The Night of Heritage Light will be a great example of the whole industry coming together to bring the magic of light and lighting to the world.

"By combining light with some of the UK and Ireland’s most beautiful sights, we can capture the public’s attention in a way that showcases the best that the lighting industry has to offer.

"Lighting is an art form as well as a science, and we’re hoping that this event will inspire people to look more closely at the part light plays in their everyday lives, from the street to their place of work.

"It’s about inspiring the next generation of minds to make the great breakthroughs in lighting by thinking big and realising the industry’s potential."

For more information on the Night of Heritage Light visit nohl-sll.org