People's millions viewers vote for illumination project The Victorian Viaduct in Centenary Park will shine throughout the winter thanks to the hard work of local volunteers.

With support from North Lanarkshire Council, the group decided to apply for funding from the People's Millions Fund, and in November last year went head-to-head against other worthy causes for the public vote.

The Friends group had an idea for a unique lighting project that would ensure it was as much of a landmark at night as during the day.

The Friends of Centenary and West End Parks secured funding to install a number of lighting projectors to illuminate one side of the Viaduct after dark. Almost sixty thousand pounds came from 'The People's Millions' grant from the Big Lottery Fund and �10,785 from the council's Environmental Key Fund (EKF).

Thousands of viewers voted for the illumination of the Viaduct after watching the People's Millions broadcast, shown as part of STV's Scotland Today news programme.

And on Thursday 12 November, they saw the results of that funding come to fruition when the lights were officially switched on for the first time.

Councillor Jim Logue oversaw the lighting ceremony. He said, "this project is part of a wider initiative developed by 'The Friends' to make the park more accessible and enjoyable for the local community and visitors alike. I congratulate them for all their hard work in bringing this impressive project a reality."

Two former pupils from Victoria PS, Airdrie won a competition to design images for the lights to officially turn on the lights.

Kieran's Wilson(12) theme was based on St Andrews day while Chelsea Reid's (12) design pictured various types of Birds which will appear on the Viaduct in the new year.

The competition was open to all Monklands primary schools will be encouraged to take part in competitions which will be ongoing throughout the year ahead.

Sam Bell, from the Friends of Centenary and West End Parks, said:

"This is very much a community project involving schoolchildren, teachers, parents and the local community. We have enjoyed a successful ongoing working partnership with North Lanarkshire Council since 2004 when we started out.

"Our thanks go to Paul Jukes, Ken Wilson, Paul Duncan and Kevin McWard, and many others at the council. Thanks also to Lightfolio who managed the project and Harte ltd Contractors and the involvement of Lyndsay Noble of council's Development Projects Team."