A TOWN on the Herefordshire border is trialling new street lights which it hopes will enhance the night sky by limiting light pollution.

Presteigne and Norton Town Council said a lighting trial is currently underway in the town on the Herefordshire-Powys border where a number of lights in Broad Street and High Street have been replaced.

The council said the trial will determine the exact fittings which will need to be used when the lighting for the area is upgraded in the next financial year.

It will also help with the application for dark sky status, and if that is successful, Presteigne will be the first town in England and Wales to get the seal of approval from an international association.

The International Dark-Sky Association designates some towns, cities and villages as "international dark sky communities".

This means that the area has shown "exceptional dedication to the preservation of the night sky through the implementation and enforcement of a quality outdoor lighting ordinance, dark sky education and citizen support of dark skies".

The association's website adds that the so-called dark sky communities "excel in their efforts to promote responsible lighting and dark sky stewardship, and set good examples for surrounding communities".

In a town council meeting on March 17, councillors thanks Kerem Asfuroglo of Dark Source, Powys County Council's lighting manager and engineers, and Coun Beverley Baynham for their support for the project.