The river Thames in London is to bathed in a new light, reports The Sunday Times.

The river is to become a 'watercolour' illuminated at night in a £5m arts project. As dusk envelops the waterway the profile of the riverbank will be transformed with coloured lights shining on the bridges and buildings highlighting their features against the darkness. Pleasure cruisers will carry remote-control devices to send a 'wash' of blue light up the sides of buildings in their wake. The display will be controlled from a mixing board of the type used in theatres.

The project is the brainchild of James Turrell, maverick Arizona rancher who has become celebrated as one of the world's most innovative artists. He is expected to win approval when he visits London at the end of this month (February.

More than 40 groups have signed up to the permanent Thames light project. Patrons include Lord Rothschild, Lord Cholmondeley, and Lady Rogers. The Savoy Hotel and the Somerset House Trust will be asked to contribute to the cost of the electricity bill and London's arts and tourism boards are expect to help. The government is reported to have earmarked £85m for street lighting in London, some of which could be used for the project.