SOME of Scarborough's best-known landmark buildings are to be floodlit to give the resort a new night-time look and boost its tourist business.

The Rotunda Museum overlooking the South Bay has become the first to be illuminated, and the Spa Bridge lighthouse and Toll House are due to have their big switch-on in the next few weeks, says Gordon Somerville, head of planning services for Scarborough Borough Council.

Now the council is to give grants to English Rose Hotels to illuminate the Royal Hotel and to the cliff-top 800-year-old parish church of St Mary's.

The famous Stephen Joseph Theatre, famed as the home of top playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn, is in line for funding to restore its neon lights. And, says Mr Somerville, the owners of the imposing Grand Hotel in the South Bay have agreed to go ahead with a floodlighting scheme. "This is very good news indeed because the building is one of the most important in the floodlighting strategy".

One of the top buildings to be floodlit will be the 800-year-old Norman castle, perched high on the cliffs between the two bays.

In total, grants totalling more than £20,000 are set to be given under the council's town lighting initiative.

Hopes of encouraging property owners in The Crescent, Sandside and Eastborough to illuminate their premises have so far met with little success but, said Mr Somerville, if the grant aid offers were increased it could stimulate interest. The Town Hall, Central Library, Market Hall and Valley Bridge were also in line for floodlighting.