Plans to light up the entrance to Dudley Zoo and Castle, giving it scope to take part in national events has been given the go-ahead after council planners granted approval for the project.

Bosses said they regularly receive requests for the zoo and castle to take part in national events marking good causes but have to either decline or install costly systems for one off occasions.

Feature lighting will be installed on the Grade II Listed Tecton entrance, replacing an ageing system currently in place. Funding will come through the borough’s £1 million Town Fund - it's hoped a similar project can be undertaken for the castle. Zoo director Derek Grove said:

“The lighting scheme is part of our long term plans to enable Dudley Zoo and Castle to participate in national events and celebrations, with a second phase aiming to acquire funding assistance to install a similar system for the castle.

“The site regularly receives requests to illuminate the castle in various colours to highlight fantastic causes and we are sadly unable to assist due to the aged lighting systems currently in place on both the Tecton entrance and Dudley Castle.

“Temporary lighting systems have been installed for several celebrations over the past few years though they proved time consuming and costly to install as a one off.

“We feel that landmark iconic buildings such as the Tecton entrance and Dudley Castle should be able to join in national events at the switch of a button and our aim is to ensure this will be the case over the next few years.

“The impact of having a significantly improved lighting system on the Tecton entrance will not only highlight events, but each evening, Castle Hill travellers will be able to marvel at the pioneering modernist architecture as well as in the near future, serving as a bright arrival into Dudley Town centre for passengers on the Metro.”