By Sue Crawford

Last updated at 13:27, Monday, 30 April 2012

A string of giant lit-up balloons will illuminate the length of Hadrian’s Wall this summer.

How the balloons may look on Hadrian's Wall

The spectacular sight which is expected to attract thousands of visitors to Cumbria and Northumberland, will see a series of tethered six-foot-wide balloons each containing LED lights.

The event, to be called Connecting Light, will take place on August 31 and September 1 as part of the London 2012 Festival to celebrate the Olympics. It is designed by a New York-based arts collective and has been commissioned by Hadrian’s Wall Heritage in partnership with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

Linda Tuttiett, chief executive of Hadrian’s Wall Heritage said: “Connecting Light will turn what was the Roman Empire’s northern frontier into a contemporary communication system.

“We want to inspire a worldwide conversation of people’s thoughts on all aspects of borders and frontiers in their lives today, and we will be able to communicate the importance of the World Heritage Site and showcase our inspirational northern landscapes and fantastic heritage to new audiences around the world.”

The lights will provide a line of pulsating colours as messages are sent along the wall. These messages can be made visible through smartphones, i-pads and tablets.

The London 2012 Festival will run for 12 weeks during the summer to coincide with the London Olympic Games.

Opening on June 21 it will bring together leading artists from across the world.

See www.hadrians-wall.org for more details over the coming weeks.

First published at 11:29, Monday, 30 April 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk