Civic leaders in Newton Abbot say they have been left in the dark about plans to switch most of the town's street lights off overnight.

Devon County Council is hoping to save up to 4,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and cut its annual energy bill by £450,000 each year by turning off what it calls 'non-essential' streetlamps countywide between 12.30am and 5.30am.

The authority also believes reduced light pollution would give star gazers a better view of the night sky.

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