MONMOUTH­SHIRE County Council (MCC) is turning the lights down in a new scheme to save energy.

Cllr Bryan Jones says: "About 9,500 street lamps light Monmouthshire streets at the moment. They cost £420,000 a year to run and stay on all night.

"New plans to dim the lights by half between 10pm and 6am should reduce energy use by 30 per cent. With energy prices set to rise these changes will be good for the purse and for the environment."

MCC has received an interest free government loan to fund the scheme, which is already operating in Mathern and Trellech. Roadshows from 9am to 2pm on December 6 in Bulwark's public car park and on December 7 in Chepstow's Beaufort Square will give residents the chance to discuss plans with streetlighting staff.