Rhys Jones backs lighthouse stripes

Griff Rhys Jones is the latest celebrity to back a campaign to save a lighthouse's red and white stripes.

The Save Beachy Head Lighthouse stripes campaign was started in October last year after its owner, Trinity House, announced it could no longer afford to repaint the distinctive red and white stripes, according to the campaign's website.

Trinity House has said that because boats now have high-tech navigational systems the day marker stripes are no longer essential so the lighthouse near Beachy Head, East Sussex, would be left to return to its natural granite grey colour.

Other celebrities who have thrown their support behind the campaign include Bexhill-born comedian Eddie Izzard, author Bill Bryson and journalist and TV presenter John Craven, a spokeswoman for the group said.

Rhys Jones encouraged people to donate to the campaign which has raised more than £18,500 of the £27,000 it needs to repaint and maintain the lighthouse.

He said: "This is a significant part of our heritage - a monument to our seafaring history and most of all a pretty thing. It is the seaside. I bet you meant to help. They're nearly there so go on, do it. Be a beacon."

From the end of July, comedian Eddie Izzard pledged to match donations pound for pound up to the sum of £2,000, Shirley Moth from the campaign group said.

Eddie said: "The Beachy Head lighthouse must keep its red and white stripes. It is essential as it is an icon for Britain.

"Without its distinctive stripes, the Spitfires and Lancasters would not have had such a great visual landmark to guide themselves back home in World War II, and we owe it to them to keep their memory alive and the spirit of fighting injustice everywhere."

::For more information about the campaign and making a donation, visit www.keepthebeachyheadlighthousestripes.org.uk