A SCHEME to light up the spire of Southampton's mother church with sponsorship has been backed by dozens of local companies.

Several businesses have already put themselves forward as sponsors to pay for the lighting up of the spire of St Mary's Church.

Church officials dreamt up the scheme in a bid to bring the heart back to Southampton city centre and draw visitors into the area.

Parish administrator John Hunter said a number of businesses had already offered cash backing for the project.

"Some have said they can see the spire from their windows and they would like to give us money because it is such an important landmark.

"We have had a very good response and we are now waiting to see how the project develops."

From the new year, the church would also like to offer lighting-up of the spire for individual celebrations like birthdays or wedding anniversaries or other happy events.

Visitors to the church's website should be able to book their request to light the spire on a certain day and send in their donation. A test of the three floodlights on the spire earlier this year showed it could seen clearly from as far across the city as Portswood and Itchen.

Those tapping into the church's website after dark can already see the spire in its full illuminated glory - courtesy of a Daily Echo photograph.

The St Mary's Church website can be accessed on www.st-marys-church-southampton.co.uk

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