Night street light switch-off considered in Derbyshire

Some street lights could be switched off between midnight and 0500 across Derbyshire - in a bid to save £325,000 a year and reduce carbon emissions.

A group of county councillors has backed the change, claiming evidence suggested this would not mean an increase in crime.

The Conservative administration will decide whether to implement the change after public consultation.

If approved, the scheme would cost £1.2m to implement over four years.

A similar project has already been tried out in Leicestershire.

Some critics in part of Derbyshire said they feared the change might adversely affect elderly road users and school children in the winter months.

Parish and town councils will be consulted over the changes, along with emergency services, and the public will have a chance to express any views.

Jean Wharmby, a deputy cabinet member at Derbyshire County Council, said: "It won't affect main roads and town centres, accident black-spots, all the vulnerable areas - that's not what we're looking to switch off.

"It will be areas that we think are suitable - and other people think are suitable - to do, the quieter areas."