Artworks set to shine in first ever Lumiere London festival

Light installations by 30 leading artists will illuminate the capital's streets as part of the first ever Lumiere London event.

The light festival, developed by creative producers Artichoke, will see artworks based in four major sites across the city.

Installations will include a "life-like elephant" in Piccadilly and LED stickmen "running riot" over Regent Street's Liberty House, organisers say.

The festival begins on 14 January.

Image copyrightArtichoke

Image captionVisitors to Leicester Square will be able to see TILT's Garden of Light

Image copyrightMatthew Andrews

Image captionCatherine Garret/Top'lá Design's Elephantastic will emerge from a cloud of dust in Piccadilly

Image copyrightCedric le Borgne

Image captionCédric Le Borgne's Les Voyageurs will be on display in the West End

Lumiere was started in Durham in 2009 where the festival takes place every two years.

The artworks for the London festival will be based in four main areas:

• King's Cross
• Mayfair and Grosvenor Square
• Piccadilly, Regent Street, Leicester Square and St James's
• Trafalgar Square and Westminster

Transport for London (TfL) have warned that roads will be closed and Tube stations will be busier than usual in the areas where the festival is being held.

Image copyrightMatthew Andrews

Image captionLuminéoles by Porté Par Le Vent will be floating along Piccadilly

Image copyrightMatthew Andrews

Image captionLED stickmen will be seen "running riot" over Liberty House

Lumiere London will run across four evenings from 14 to 17 January and is free to visitors.

BBC News