Longer-lasting, energy-saving LED streetlights will be installed in Epping Forest next summer – but only in the 30 per cent of lamps which already stay on overnight.

Essex County Council will install 1,220 LED lights across the district as it seeks to save money and cut energy use.

The Epping Forest roll-out will come a year after the programme started in some areas of the county.

Castle Point district has had 307 of its 414 all-night lights upgraded, Rochford district is underway, with 113 lights replaced of a total 429 and work has started in Basildon with 771 LEDs in place.

Uttlesford, Chelmsford and sites along the A127 are next on the list, due to be upgraded by May 2017.

In Epping Forest, as with many other parts of the county, most lights are switched off between midnight and 5am.

Campaigners have called for lamps to be kept on, claiming that dark streets aid and encourage criminals.

However, the council and police have said the policy has not caused an increase in crime.

The council has focussed on replacing already-broken bulbs during its LED rollout.

Highways councillor Eddie Johnson said: “When the 19,000 LEDs are all working correctly, taxpayers will benefit from savings of £600,000-a-year on energy and maintenance costs, as well as carbon taxes.”