A UNIQUE rainbow light artwork is set to illuminate the Poole night sky in November thanks to council funding.

The Global Rainbow will shine from Poole Lighthouse to signal its resilience and re-emergence from the dark days of the pandemic.

The rainbow is a large-scale public art light installation that beams seven rays of laser light to represent the colour spectrum of a natural rainbow and create a natural perspective horizon arc.

Funded by BCP Council, Lighthouse will host the projection over Poole and eastwards towards Hengistbury Head after dark from November 18 to 20.

Lighthouse chief executive Elspeth McBain said: “The rainbow has long been considered a symbol of hope, thanks and promise so there is no better way to demonstrate our confidence in what lies ahead than to host this amazing, innovative artwork that will be seen for miles around.

“It literally puts Poole on the map.”

Depending on the weather conditions, its trajectory is up to 60km – meaning it should be visible from as far as Winchester and parts of the Isle of Wight.

Deputy leader of BCP Council Philip Broadhead said: “Following a competitive application process, we are pleased to award this grant to Lighthouse, Poole’s centre for the arts. This project is just one of many initiatives that our latest package of discretionary support will now bring to life.”

The Global Rainbow, designed by American artist Yvette Mattern, has been presented in major cities including New York, Berlin, Tokyo and Toronto.