HUNDREDS of streetlights across the city went out on Wednesday at midnight.

The changes, which see some lights switched off between midnight and 5.30am, are part of Wiltshire Council's plans to reduce its energy bills and C02 emissions.

Most city-centre streets remain largely unchanged, but hundreds of lights in residential streets are affected.

Many roads in areas such as, Harnham, Bemerton Heath and Bishopdown now have around half their lights switched off in the early hours, while the other half remain lit all night.

Meanwhile on main routes, including parts of London Road, Devizes Road, Castle Road, Odstock Road and Southampton Road, lights are being dimmed, dropping to three-quarter strength at 8pm and half strength at midnight.

In Wilton, the town centre remains lit throughout the night, while side streets have undergone a partial switch-off.

In Laverstock, lights on Riverside Road and Church Road are being dimmed, while those on residential side streets have been reduced.

Similar proposals are being designed in detail for Amesbury to start in September, with nearby towns and villages expected to follow.

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “We consulted some months ago about turning street lights off on minor roads between midnight and 5.30am to save energy, lower CO2 emissions as well as help reduce the current annual £1.2m cost of street lighting by an estimated £300,000.

"There was 86 per cent support for the proposal at consultation, which will affect up to 40 per cent of the total street lights in the county.

"The changes have been brought in successfully in trials in other parts of the county.

"We are listening to people’s comments and where there are safety issues we have put lights back on.

"The street lights are controlled remotely and we can change the timing and their intensity instantly, so we can support community events and respond to security issues. "There will also be a full review in six months’ time where we can properly assess the benefits and see what further changes may need to be made.”

On the council's website it says: "About half of the street lights in the county have been converted to operate for part of the night.

"Lights at junctions, pedestrian crossings and where required for safety remain on all night.

"Where suitable, the lighting levels of some street lights have been be dimmed so they operate when there is less traffic and pedestrian movement.

"Also, lighting where there are CCTV systems, in town centres, and in areas where crime is a problem, remain on and at normal lighting levels."

For maps of which streets are affected, click here.