STREET lights which were switched off on a seven- month trial basis will now be permanently removed from a village.

Thirty-three footway lights in Salford Priors were switched off last September by the parish council and at the time the decision led to criticism from some residents who were unhappy with the village being plunged into darkness.

But parish council chairman Councillor John Stedman said there had been no ill-effect caused by the lights being switched off and that due to the poor condition of the wooden poles, they would now be removed altogether.

Speaking at the April parish council meeting, he said: “The whole point of the trial switch-off was to establish the real effects on local people. Results show it has had no detrimental effect at all.

“Yes, we’ve had grumbles but parishioners were invited to tell the council of any incident caused by the loss of the lights.

“None was reported. The majority of residents have expressed support for the action taken by the council.”

The lights involved were installed 50 years ago and experts advising the parish council have condemned their wooden poles.

As a result, the council’s insurers have warned that public liability insurance will be withdrawn from June.

This would mean that if any poles caused damage or injury then the costs of any claim would fall on taxpayers, it was explained at the meeting.

The council will now consult with residents in different areas of the village regarding any possible future lighting.

It is thought the cost of replacing the 33 lamps would be £100,000.