A DOZEN high-tech street lamps designed to save energy have been burning brightly day and night along a major Baildon street.

The new lamps are operated by photo-sensitive cells on the top of their casings and linked via antennae to a command lamppost which switches them off and on depending on the darkness.

Power is supplied constantly from three sub-stations, but only used when the lamps decide to switch on.

However, for the past six weeks, some residents in Newton Way and West Lane have basked in 24 hour electric light, said ward Councillor Val Townend.

"I was first contacted at least six weeks ago and people are furious at such a blatant waste of money," said Cllr Townend (Con, Baildon).

"In Baildon like elsewhere, people are very conscious of their own electricity bills and do their best to try to save energy bills for all the right reasons.

"And yet outside their homes are rows of Bradford council street lamps just wasting electricity 24 hours a day - electricity which they as Bradford ratepayers pay for."

Cllr Townend contacted Bradford Council officers regarding the lamps some six weeks ago and said she was disappointed the problem was continuing.

Newton Way resident Joyce Rhodes said the non-stop lights made a mockery of all the requests for people to do their bit for the environment by saving domestic power.

"A friend of mine in the street is so angry she's been ringing the Council every day to complain," said Mrs Rhodes, who has lived in Baildon since 1947.

"Everything is supposed to be about saving energy, but what worries me is this is just wasting money," said Mrs Rhodes, 86.

A Bradford Council spokesman said there were known problems with the new light system.

"These lights have been newly installed as part of our street light replacement programme and unfortunately are malfunctioning.

"This has caused the fail safe mechanism to kick in, which means they are staying on all day.

"Some of the lights are also working intermittently due to issues with the electronic equipment which has been replaced.

"We are working closely with the manufacturer to identify the cause of the problem and find an effective solution."