2d lightmapping

In BB2D
I`m working on a platformer.

What I need help on is this :-

My project has 2d platforms overlayed on a darker background (may or may not parallax scroll).

My character carries a candle -

The effect I want is a circular `glow` eminating from the candle that will cast `light` onto the background layer.

I`m presuming what I need to do is lighten the colour underneath a circle mask of some sort.

I suppose I`m after a 2d LIGHTMAPPER of sorts

Any help will be useful

Thanx

GP

One solution is to create multiple seperate tile sets, each with a different intesity of light. Memory intensive but it would be faster than using a light map.

I managed to create a super fast lighting function, that may be used in realtime (if done carefully). But the only problem is that you can only choose to lighten up the whole image, not portions.