Sunderland to be lit up red white and blue to mark Brexit Day

The city’s Northern Spire bridge, Fulwell Mill, Keel Square and Seaburn lighthouse are among sites that will mark the occasion on Friday.

Following Royal assent for the EU Withdrawal Agreement, the UK is due to leave the EU at 11pm on Friday.

Council Leader, Coun Graeme Miller, said: "Whether you voted leave or remain, this is a momentous date in our nation's history and it is only right that we mark it.

"What is essential now is that we move on from the divisions that have preoccupied the UK since the Referendum in 2016 and work together to carve out a new future for our country, and new trade agreements with our EU and other potential trading partners."

Northern Spire bridge, Fulwell Mill, Seaburn Lighthouse, Keel Square, Market Square and High Street West will all be lit red, white and blue from dusk until dawn on Friday, with the exception of Seaburn lighthouse where the lighting is switched off at 10.30pm.

In the 2016 Referendum, Sunderland voted strongly to leave the EU.

82,394 people voted to leave (61.3%) compared to 51,930 people voting to remain (38.7%). Nationally, the UK voted to leave by a 51.9% to 48.1% margin, with 17,410,742 people voting to leave the EU.

Are you doing anything special on Friday to mark Brexit Day? Contact us via our Facebook or Twitter pages or call the newsdesk on 516 6127.