STAR lit skies may be a thing of the past in Swindon, according to the local star gazing group.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England is calling for action to tackle light pollution after a survey of 2,300 people found only two per cent of participants - one in 50 people - were able to count more than 30 stars over a three-week period in February.

This was half the number of people compared to the organisation's Star Count five years ago.

Charles Vince, vice-chairman of the Swindon Star Gazers group, told the Advertiser the situation was “dire” for star watchers due to light pollution from street lights but also people’s homes.

“We get a tremendous amount of light shining off of the town, and it's very bad street lighting which creates this orange glow,” he said.

“They were very badly designed, because they shine upwards and sideways, so you can never achieve a dark sky as such.

“There are obviously places outside the town where it is dark but I’m afraid we all long for those days when we can have a dark sky.

“Overall the picture has been gradually declining since the 1960s.”

He also expressed some concern about the increasing use of LED lighting, which often can’t be filtered out by specialist lenses, and automatic security lights installed by homeowners.

“You have got filters on a telescope which will filter orange light out to a degree, but this modern LED lighting has been causing problems to people up and down the country,” he added.

“I live in Old Town and some people do unfortunately don’t just put one light on they have to put on every light in the house.

"Then they’ve got these security lights and they are often very badly positioned.”

Both Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council last year agreed to replace the 45,000 and 26,000 sodium street lights with efficient LED bulbs.

Wiltshire will dim its lights in the evening as part of the 12-million cost-saving scheme.

The CPRE survey also found more than half over people taking part, 57 per cent, failed to see more than ten stars, and only nine per cent could see more than 21 stars.

Emma Marrington, dark skies campaigner at CPRE, called for local authorities to take more action, such as light dimming schemes.

“The Star Count results show just how far reaching the glow from street lights and buildings can be seen,” she said.

“Light doesn’t respect boundaries, and careless use can see it spread for miles from towns, cities, businesses and motorways, resulting in the loss of one of the countryside’s most magical sights – a dark, starry night sky.

“Without intervention, our night sky will continue to be lost under a veil of artificial light, to the detriment of our own health, and the health of the natural world.”

The CPRE is urging people play their part in reducing light pollution and advises that security and outdoor lights are only turned on when needed.