A Sidmouth neighbourhood will be upgraded with high-tech, energy-efficient street lighting.

The work in Higher Woolbrook Park will see 20-year-old, 70-watt street lanterns replaced with 16-watt LED lights, which will last four times longer.

And although the new lights use less power, they may appear brighter, as they are a ‘white’ light source, rather than the ‘yellowy’ high pressure sodium lamps being replaced.

Sixteen of the area’s deteriorating street lamp columns, which date back to the mid-1960s, will also be replaced.

The new aluminium columns, which are currently used in many residential streets and on all new developments, are expected to last 70 years.

It is estimated that the switch from traditional bulbs to energy efficient LEDs in Higher Woolbrook Park alone will save Devon County Council (DCC) hundreds of pounds-a-year in electricity.

The work is scheduled to begin in March and will take approximately a week to complete.

Once completed, the lights will continue to come on at dusk and turn off at 12.30am before turning on again at 5.30am and going off again at dawn.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, DCC’s highways management boss, said: “During the duration of the works in Higher Woolbrook Park, there will be a minimum amount of disruption to residents and motorists.

“As it is a residential area, temporary traffic signals will not be needed.

“Work vehicles will have to be parked in the road, but access will still be available for vehicles and pedestrians at all times.”

In addition, street lights along two of the main routes in to the Sid Valley will be converted to energy-efficient alternatives.

Street lamp columns along the A375 and A3052 will be among 5,000 across Devon to be replaced by March 2018.

The work will be paid for out of a £10million pot secured by DCC from the Department for Transport.