Warwickshire street lights switched-off over night

Street lights in Warwickshire have been turned off overnight for the first time, in a bid to cut costs.

Some 39,000 street lights are due to be switched off between 00:00 and 05:30 GMT, which the local authority said would save £500,000 a year.

Warwickshire County Council said it would also help cut carbon emissions.

The lights were turned off in Warwick on Saturday night, with Nuneaton, Rugby, Stratford and North Warwickshire due to follow in the next few months.

The local authority said lights around junctions, pedestrian crossings, roundabouts and areas covered by CCTV cameras would not be affected.

The council, which pays £2.2m each year towards street lighting, said about 80% of all its lights would be included in the part-time switch-off by April.

It said the lights had been specifically chosen after consultations with police and community safety groups.

Those operated by town or district councils will not be affected.