Brilliant response to Christmas lights amnesty

There was a fantastic response to the AONB Partnership's Christmas Lights Amnesty at Hamsterley Forest recently, with more than 130 sets of low energy LED lights given out to visitors who handed in their old conventional lights.

Helen Goodman MP swaps a set of conventional Christmas lights for low energy LEDs

Members of the AONB Partnership's Staff Unit were running the lights swap event as part of the Forestry Commission's Hamsterley Forest Christmas tree sales day. The amnesty allowed people to exchange up to two sets of their old Christmas lights for new low energy LED lights – all completely free of charge.

Claire Parker, Administrative Officer with the AONB Partnership said: "LED Christmas lights are 10 times more efficient than the old conventional bulbs and so save money, and also help to reduce carbon emissions due to reduced energy consumption.

And as dark days of winter continue, there's another chance to 'go green' with lighting in the North Pennines AONB Partnership's light bulb amnesty being run in partnership with Durham County Council.

Conventional light bulbs can be swapped for low energy bulbs at Stanhope, Alston and Allendale

People living in and around the AONB are also invited to swap their conventional bulbs for FREE low energy light bulbs in Stanhope, County Durham, Alston in Cumbria and Allendale in Northumberland.

Traditional light bulbs are being phased out as a result of changes in EU legislation and the AONB Partnership is giving people a FREE head start. Installing a single low energy bulb can save up to £9 a year as well as helping to reduce carbon emissions by being 80 per cent more efficient.

The free 40 Watt equivalent Phillips WW827 GENIE bulbs can be swapped one for one with traditional monofilament bulbs at The Weardale Hub, Front Street, Stanhope (Mon – Thurs 9.30am – 1.30pm and 1pm – 4pm Fridays – tel 01388 529500); Allendale Village Hall (Mon – Fri 9am – 12 noon and at other times when the hall is open, tel. 01434 683334) and Alston Town Hall (Tue, Wed, Thur, Sat 10am – 3pm; Mon and Fri 10am – 5pm, tel 01434 382224).

Ward Brothers Recycling Ltd of Durham have kindly agreed to recycle all the old light bulbs which are handed in.