Town's 100th birthday plan for lighthouse luminary

The manager of Withernsea Lighthouse Museum is planning a 100th birthday tribute to its founder.

Lindsey Jones wants to collect 100 birthday cards from local people for Kim Kendall, who will reach the milestone on 31 March.

Ms Kendall bought the lighthouse in 1986, after it had been decommissioned, and turned it into a museum. She now lives in the US.

Ms Jones said people could drop off cards at the lighthouse or send them to its address in Hull Road by Saturday.

She said Ms Kendall "always asks how things are going and how everyone is" and so it would be "good to get her something from the local people".

"Some people have brought cards to the lighthouse already, so it is off to a good start," she added.

"We will collect all the cards and send them off to her as one big parcel."

Built in 1892, the 127ft-tall (39m) lighthouse remained operational until 1976.

Ms Jones said the octagonal building was "a big part of Withernsea's heritage" and Ms Kendall had ensured it would be preserved.

"I don't know what would have happened if she hadn't have bought the lighthouse, it might have been taken down, and so it all wouldn't have been possible without her generosity," she added.

After being bought by Ms Kendall, it housed a tribute to her sister, the actress Kay Kendall, who starred in films such as Genevieve, before her death from leukaemia in 1959 aged 32.

In 2014, a blue plaque was unveiled at the sisters' childhood home in Hull Road, a short distance from the lighthouse.

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