A Kent landmark is to be lit up for the first time in more than 60 years next month.

The Old Lighthouse at Dungeness on Romney Marsh will be illuminated blue to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the NHS.

The lantern at the top of the 46-metre-high structure will not be lit, but organisers say the tower itself “should look really good”.

Landmark buildings such as Wembley, Liverpool's Liver building and the London Eye will also be illuminated on the evening of Wednesday, July 5.

Lighthouse manager Brian Chappell, 73, says he “felt it was appropriate” to join them.

“My son had cancer last year and one of the owners has also gone through surgery earlier this year,” he said.

“We owe the NHS a lot, so we thought it would be appropriate to show our appreciation.”

The landmark is 119 years old and Mr Chappell hopes people will come and show their support.

He added: “Dungeness is a major tourist draw in the summer. It is becoming very popular, Ed Sheeran even just bought a property here!

“There are currently two lighthouses in Dungeness: we have the active one and our one which is painted all black.

“We just hope that people will come and see it and take photographs, it will hopefully attract visitors to the destination that have never been here before.”

Mr Chappell has been a manager of the lighthouse for the past year and says organisers will be funding the event themselves.

The father–of–five estimates the project will cost about £1,000.

He added: “We hope the floodlights will be intensely bright at the bottom and gradually fade up the building. It should look really good.

“Unfortunately, we will not be lighting the top lantern at all as this could possibly affect shipping.”