Shoppers are taking a dim view of the fact they will soon no longer be able to buy traditional light bulbs.

Under new EC rules the manufacture of the standard opaque (pearl) and clear 40, 60, 100 and 150 watt bulbs became illegal on September 1.

Most major stores took the old fashioned bulbs off their shelves as the deadline approached on Monday.

But smaller shops like Lighting of Distinction in High Street, Marlborough, run by father and son Andy and Alex Glover, still have a few 100 and 150 watt traditional bulbs in stock.

“People are coming in and buying them by the dozen and one customer had about £100 worth,” said Andy Glover.

The replacement low energy bulbs do not give out as bright a light; the cheaper ones take a while to warm up and, at £4.50 a bulb, they are four times more expensive.

Mr Glover said: “Personally I think it’s short sighted because elderly people have them on the top of their stairs and they cannot see where they are going so well with the low energy bulbs.

“Perhaps they are trying to cull the elderly,” he jested.

However, Mr Glover admitted that the latest low energy bulbs give a lot more light and achieve full brightness as soon as they are switched on.

The new generation of bulbs use only four-fifths of the electricity consumed by traditional ones and some can last up to five years.