Tynedale residents are being urged to do their bit to preserve the county’s International Dark Sky Status.

According to maps from the Campaign to Protect Rural England, light pollution in Hexham is now as intense as areas in Tyneside, which could be threatening the area’s dark sky status.

The national park’s visitor development and marketing manager Duncan Wise updated county councillors on what has happened in the three years since Northumberland was awarded dark sky status at a recent meeting of the west area committe in Wark.

“Northumberland is blessed with the most pristine dark skies in England and we all have the opportunity to benefit from that,” he explained.

“But we need to preserve the night skies for future generations.”

Mr Wise said residents can take steps to reverse the impact of light pollution by installing outside lighting only where needed and making sure those lights are shielded and not too bright.

He went on to describe the benefits dark sky status has brought to the area, particularly the rural economy.

“Eighty five per cent of people have never seen a truly dark sky,” he said. “If you provide the facilities and make it easier for people to access the dark sky they will come.”