ON Friday Hampshire residents are expected to descend onto the Westquay Esplanade in Southampton for a Festival of Lights.

The "light spectacular" will mark the completion on the new development as well as showcasing the new Cinema De Lux.

Visitors can expect immersive artwork that tracks body movements, illuminated arches and an interactive ocean featuring more than 12,000 LED lights, in a display similar to that put on to mark the opening of the Watermark complex.

The light display will begin at 5pm every evening until February 19.

Images will be projected onto the walls telling the story of Southampton.

On Valentine's Day the display will be adapted to feature digital mapping that shows a sequence of romantic, abstract coloured scenes.

Those on a romantic date are encouraged to dine at one of the centre's many new restaurants.

Andy Collyer, general manager of Westquay, said: “Marking the important milestone of completion of Westquay’s dining and leisure offer with a spectacular Light Festival is very fitting.

"We were delighted that the light display in December was such a success and enjoyed by so many people which is why we have chosen to bring it back but this time with so much more to experience.

“Since the first restaurants began opening last month it has been great to see visitors enjoying the fantastic line-up Westquay now has and we look forward to welcoming many more customers as Southampton now undoubtedly becomes the go-to destination for retail, leisure and dining on the South Coast.”

The Festival of Light are part of a wider programme of activities and events that Westquay will be hosting for the city throughout the year in its public Esplanade.

The Westquay Watermark website states the Esplanade will provide a greater space than Guildhall Square and accommodate even more events such as concerts and plays in the next year.