WILTSHIRE Council is planning to spend £12million to replace older street lights with low-energy, LED bulbs.

The council's cabinet hopes the move will provide a long term saving, as the switch is estimated to save £1million each year.

Unlike the older lights, the LED versions can be dimmed to save energy, and the council plans to cut energy consumption by 69 per cent by dimming the lights between 8pm and 6am.

It will include lights in public car parks, open spaces and housing estates.

READ: Toddlers will be prepared for primary school thanks to new class >>>

Currently about three per cent of Wiltshire's 45,000 existing lights are LED, and running costs are at about £1.9million a year.

The move is subject to proposals being approved by the full council and, if successful, a two-year installation is planned for 2019/20.

The Liberal Democrat opposition said the £12million investment was welcome, but said: "[The cabinet's] universal plans to dim lights between 8pm and 6am needs greater flexibility and community consultation."