Dumfries and Galloway Council has revealed it will complete a street lighting replacement scheme one year ahead of schedule.

The initiative began in 2013 after a report by the Scottish Futures Trust revealed Scottish council's could save up to 70% on lighting bills by switching to LED street lighting.

So far, energy and carbon consumption has fallen by 28%, saving £255,000 per year and reducing carbon emissions in around 971 homes.

The local authority is now one of the top three council's in Scotland for both energy reduction and the number of lights replaced with LEDs.

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Economy, Environment and Infrastructure committee Chair, Colin Smyth, said: "The street lighting replacement scheme is a great example of our council investing money to improve services for our local communities and reaping long term benefits. This project has succeeded in reducing energy and maintenance costs for the Council as well as helping the Council achieve its carbon reduction targets. The new lights last 17 years longer than the traditional lights – this reduces resident's frustrations with faulty street lights.

"We are now half way through this project and 48% of the street lights across our region have now been swapped to new LED lights, and more good news is that the remainder of the lights will be replaced a year ahead of schedule, with all lights being switched in the next three years."

A report on the street lighting scheme's progress will be presented to councillors on 13 September.

(LM/CD)