NEW street lights will help Durham County Council slash its electricity bills and help the environment.

The council has completed a ten-year rolling programme of replacing almost 6,000 power-hungry mercury bulbs with high pressure sodium lights, which use less power and are also brighter.

The lamps operate at 70 watts compared with the 125 watts of the old lights and the savings in electricity consumption mean that less greenhouse gas is produced.

The light replacement programme will save the council more than £77,000 a year - equivalent to £13 each light - and council officials estimate they will recoup the costs of converting the lights in about six years.

Cabinet member Don Ross, who is responsible for highways and the environment, said street lighting was essential for safety and security.

"Our conversion programme has shown that significant cash savings, a reduction in power consumption and less impact on the environment can all be achieved without sacrificing the effectiveness of the lighting network.

The council maintains about 75,000 street lights, many of which already used sodium lighting and did not need converting.

The council has also installed a mini-turbine on a trial basis to help generate heat and power at its County Hall headquarters in Durham.

The turbine will produce a significant amount of heat and power that is currently produced by a traditional gas boiler and mains electricity.

Officials estimate the plan will reduce carbon monoxide emissions produced by County Hall by up to 20 tonnes a year and save about £5,000 on the council's gas and electricity bill.