OTTERY residents have been buying decades worth of light-bulbs this week as the town s view on a traditional bulb ban was aired live on Sky News.

OTTERY residents have been buying decades worth of light-bulbs this week as the town's view on a traditional bulb ban was aired live on Sky News.

From Tuesday, traditional 100watt and frosted light-bulbs have stopped being manufactured in and imported to the UK as part of a Government phase-out of non energy efficient bulbs.

Switched on staff at Abbotts DIY in Jesu Street have stocked up on bulbs but have since watched the two years worth of stock fly off their shelves, with customers literally walking away with "a lifetime" of lighting.

Partner Chris Abbott, 30, appeared in front of millions on Sky News's Sunday Live programme at the weekend, and voiced the dim view "panic buying" Ottery customers have of the ban.

He told the Herald on Tuesday: "It's surreal, every other thing we sell is a light bulb, we're selling hundreds. People are walking out with 20 to 30 at a time no problem, one lady who suffers from migraines bought 100 and said she'd be back shortly. Customers are buying any type of light bulb.

We got in around two years worth of stock and our store room is full to bursting point, but at this rate it is not going to last that long at all, we're selling out and once they are gone that's it, we can't get hold of any more.

"Everyone wants to be more environmentally friendly, but in some cases the low energy light Bulbs are just not suitable, and until there is a viable alternative the opinion I am getting is that they should not yet be banned.

Chris appeared on Sky News with Professor Heinz Wolff, who claimed better, low energy, light bulbs which use LED technology are still years from hitting shop shelves.

"We have seen unprecedented buying of all traditional types of light bulbs, and speaking to other hardware retailers across the region they are all experiencing the same."

West Hill Tory Euro MP Giles Chichester this week accused the Government of making a "dog's breakfast" of the green law.