Town's lights to go out to showcase night skies

The Big Switch Off event aims to raise awareness about the advantages of preserving dark skies

The lights will go out in a Cumbrian town as part of a project to promote its dark skies and energy conservation.

The Big Switch Off will take place in Keswick on 23 April from 20:00 BST, with residents and businesses being encouraged to join in.

The event, led by Friends of the Lake District with the National Trust and Keswick Tourism Association, will also see astro-photography sessions and wildlife walks in Crow Park.

Vanessa Metcalfe, from Keswick Tourism Association, said: "We often see fantastic night-time photographs of the Milky Way above Derwentwater or Castlerigg Stone Circle, so we hope there will be a great display."

The event was due to take place in February but had to be rescheduled in Keswick due to a forecast of snow.

'Flourishing of wildlife'

About 60 lights in the areas of Lake Road, Hope Park, Crow Park, The Headlands and Lake Road car park will be switched off during the event.

Cumberland Council, which is responsible for some of the lighting affected in the town, is supporting the event.

Councillor Denise Rollo, executive member for sustainable, resilient and connected places, said: "This Big Switch Off event aims to raise awareness about the advantages of preserving dark skies for people's enjoyment, health, and well-being.

"It contributes to the flourishing of wildlife and addresses climate change by reducing energy consumption, while boosting visitor footfall over the winter months."