An historic Midland landmark will be lit up tonight as part of celebrations to mark an international festival.

The Ironbridge Gorge in Telford will be the scene of a spectacular illumination and fireworks show.

Hundreds of people are expected to visit the famous Iron Bridge to see it lit up with coloured lights to mark the World Heritage Festival.

At the far end of The Wharfage, the old Severn Warehouse, now the Museum of The Gorge, will also be bathed in coloured lights from dusk and through the weekend.

Images will be projected on to the side of other historic buildings in the world heritage site.

Visitors will also be entertained with a street market, singers, bands and dancers.

The fireworks display will start at 8pm.

Ironbridge Gorge will be celebrating its 25th anniversary of being a world heritage site in 2011.

Ironbridge is often regarded as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, being the place that Abraham Darby perfected the secret of smelting iron with coke rather than charcoal. Resident Sue Briggs, aged 37, said today: “It promises to be spectacular. I’m really looking forward to the fireworks.”