The bright idea to switch off street lights in Shenley between 12am and 6am has been rejected by parish councillors.

Saving both energy and money were the priorities for Hertfordshire County Council, but safety should have been top of the list.

The world in which we live and work has changed dramatically in the past 20 years. Many more people are now out and about during the night, working shifts or coming home from clubs and pubs.

A village of Shenley's size would not benefit from returning to the dark ages and it is vital for other authorities in the county to flick the switch on the scheme altogether.