London's iconic Tower Bridge will be given a 'lighting makeover' ahead of next summer's Olympic and Paralympic Games, following a new agreement.

Mayor Boris Johnson has announced that City Hall; the City of London Corporation; EDF; and GE have secured a deal to install a new eco-friendly lighting system. In addition to cutting carbon emissions and energy costs, the project is also designed to help enhance Tower Bridge's architectural features subject to planning permission.

If plans are approved, work will start on the installation of LED lighting this September and is due for completion by spring 2012. Detailed proposals are now being drawn up. Johnson said: "I am thrilled to have brokered this deal - at no cost to the taxpayer - to bathe Tower Bridge in eco-friendly light to create a fresh perspective of this wonderful icon."