Here it is: the high light of the holiday!

Not only is the stone-built 226-foot chimney one of the largest around, but this year it is being floodlit through the festive season for the very first time.

Beams of light in various colours are being used to illuminate the edifice during the run-up to Christmas and New Year.

And the latest 20th century technology will also be used to light up the 19th century landmark - built by Sir Titus Salt - at the dawn of the 21st century.

The floodlighting has been introduced to mark Christmas and the Millennium in style - but if the experiment proves successful, it could become a permanent feature.

Three separate computer-controlled banks of lamps containing a total of 24 lights, which can be faded in and out to give an impression of movement, are giving the chimney a whole new look.

And it is even possible to beam text on to the chimney, opening the way for the mill to be able to send its very own Christmas and Millennium messages to Saltaire.

Salts Mill spokesman Ray Shilling said: "Depending on what it looks like and and how popular it is, we might decide to light it permanently as a feature.

"We're still experimenting with the brightness, colour and patterns but a few saw us trying out the lights and have said it looks fantastic.

"There was no electricity when Sir Titus built the mill but he always used the latest technology of the time and I think he would be impressed.''

Saltaire Village Society chairman Clive Woods said: "The mill lends itself to floodlighting, particularly in the winter, and this really enhances Saltaire - as far as we're concerned, it's a bonus for the village.

"Salt himself would be delighted because he was at the cutting edge of modern technology in his day and this is yet another example of today's modern technology being put to use at the mill.''

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