AN £86,000 investment project to restore the West Pier lighthouse in Whitby has been completed.

Now plans are underway to re-open the structure to the public for the first time in four years.

Work to the lighthouse involved repairs to areas of the external stone work, internal works to glazing, windows and the staircase and also steelwork reinforcing.

Councillor Mike Cockerill, of Scarborough Borough Council, said: "While it hasn't performed as a functional lighthouse for many decades, it has always been a key feature of Whitby's harbour scene.

"The successful culmination of the restoration project, on time and within budget, means it will remain so for many generations to come.

"We are working with the previous tenant and expect the lighthouse will be open to the public next month so that everyone can see the excellent results of the project for themselves and once again enjoy the stunning views of the coastline from the top of this iconic Whitby structure."

The West Pier lighthouse was built in 1831 from locally-quarried stone. It stands 22 metres tall. It served as a navigational aid to shipping with its light visible for more than 10 miles up until 1914 when its function was replaced by more modern navigational aids.

However, the building itself remained and in 1972 the lighthouse became a Grade-II listed structure.