SEVERAL events have been organised in Droitwich to help residents find out about reductions in the number of hours street lights will be lit.

The meetings follow a decision by the Worcestershire County Council cabinet to try and reduce energy consumption, CO2 emissions and spending on street lighting in the county.

Four areas in Droitwich are set to be the first to implement the changes by having two out of three lights switched off between midnight and 6am.

Cllr John Smith OBE, county council cabinet member for highways, said: "Like residents and businesses, the county council wants to minimise its energy bills and reduce its carbon emissions.

"We understand this issue is important, which is why, following a trial period in Droitwich, we're looking to move things forward in a flexible way. We also recognise that residents are best placed to advise us on which lights should be kept on.

"I also want to emphasis this will be is a part-night switch-off of two out of three lights, in residential areas, from midnight until 6am. It's very important people are not confused and understand that at other times the streetlighting should remain unchanged."

The county council is organising a number of exhibitions to explain the move, every second Thursday for four months at Morrisons in Droitwich, with the first due to take place on Thursday, March 13.

Information will also be on display in the town’s library, or people can look online at worcestershire.gov.uk/streetlighting.

A trial part-night switch off of street lights was carried out in Droitwich between November 2012 and May 2013 with two out of three lights (72 in total) switched off between midnight and 6am. According to the county council that trial had no discernible impact on crime or road safety.

If the trial is successful in Droitwich, the council is hoping to roll the scheme out across the county in the hope of saving as much as £500,000 per year.