NEARLY 5,000 of the 6,000 streetlights Carmarthenshire Council plans to switch off at night have now had the necessary technology installed in them.

The work to allow the lights to be turned off between 12.30am and 5.30am has saved the council £45,000 so far.

Richard Workman, director of technical services, told members of its environment committee that the changes also helped the environment.

"It's not only the financial savings, it's the carbon savings," he said.

The work is expected to be finished in September.