A public consultation cornering whether to pay for all-night street lighting or to fund extra policing within a town has been announced.

Waltham Abbey Town Council will give residents the decision if they would prefer to pay an extra £5.20 a year for street lights or invest in more police cover.

Other town and parish councils within the district also have the option of paying for Essex County Council's street lights to remain on between 1am and 5am.

Town clerk Kathryn Richmond said: "The concerns of residents over all-night lighting along with police cover have been raised by residents in various parts of the district.

"Waltham Abbey Town Council, along with other councils across the district, are conducting a survey, consulting residents as to whether or not either of these options should be paid for through the town council precept.

Should the decision be made to leave the streets on overnight, it will cost Waltham Abbey Town Council a total of £27,236.75.

Ms Richmond added: "There is sufficient in the town council’s 2019-20 budget for one of these options only.

"No doubt some will feel either one of these initiatives will be of benefit to the community, with others thinking that the current lit hours or amount of police cover is sufficient.

“The important thing is that residents of Waltham Abbey can choose what is best for the area."

Hard copy forms will be available in next month’s Town Crier magazine and must be returned to Waltham Abbey Town Hall, in Highbridge Street.

The deadline of the consultation is Friday, April 26, for more details or to submit an online copy, email townclerk@walthamabbey-tc.gov.uk