AROUND 2,000 street lights will be switched off in Huddersfield in the early hours of every morning.

From this week onwards every ward in Kirklees will see a loss of light between midnight and 5am as part of a trial.

Clr Cathy Scott, Cabinet member for Streetscene, said it will cut the energy costs of every light by 40%, saving tens of thousands of pounds a year.

She said the council’s current annual street lighting energy bill was £1.8m and she predicts the figure will rise to around £2.9m by 2015 if nothing is done.

Clr Scott said: “The lights involved have been carefully chosen so that the safety of motorists and pedestrians will not be compromised.”

Streets lights and footpath lights will be included in the part-night trial.

Kirklees began the scheme last night in Dewsbury East and Cleckheaton council wards.

The phased trial is as follows:

February 11: Holme Valley South and Almondbury.

February 18: Newsome and Liversedge & Gomersal.

February 25:Kirkburton and Golcar.

March 4: Dalton, Crosland Moor & Netherton.

March 11: Holme Valley North and Batley West.