A hundred streetlights in the Malmesbury area are being dimmed or switched off.

The move is part of an initiative by the Malmesbury Area Board to reduce light pollution and save energy costs during the middle of the night.

The lights will be turned off between midnight and 5.30am and councillors will be undertaking a consultation to identify which lights could be fitted with the energy efficient bulbs.

The area board has £5,000 to carry out the work.

Coun Toby Sturgis told people at the Malmesbury Area Board meeting it was important the council saved energy.

He said: “It is critical that we reduce our carbon use because, if we don’t, we will be fined.

“I actually think it is a useful wake-up call, fossil fuels are running out and we need to do something about it.”

He added that police in other areas where the scheme had been tried said the move had not encouraged crime, because burglars often prefer well-lit areas as it speeds their getaway.

Sergeant Martin Alvis said it could also reduce anti social behaviour.

He said: “Low lighting actually encourages people to go home after the pubs close.

“Minety is a village with no street lights and it has a very low crime rate.”

Ted Palmer from the Malmesbury and St Paul Without Residents’ Association suggested lights along the bypass could be targeted.