KENDAL's Christmas lights could go green this year after councillors recommended that traditional bulbs be replaced with LED's.

The new lights would reduce electricity output from 50,000 watts to just 2,000, saving the environment and thousands of pounds in electricity bills.

"It's a genuine win-win situation," said Councillor Rob Boden, Chair of Festivals and Lights at the council.

"We'll be making massive savings on carbon emissions and cash savings as well. I think most towns will end up converting to these LED lights."

Cllr Boden went onto say that the new LED lights had been tested in a "darkened room", and that they were as bright as the current bayonet light bulbs.

He also said that the new LED lights would last for at least five years before needing to be replaced. Currently, metal fittings around traditional bulbs corrode easily, whereas LEDs would be surrounded with a better quality of metal fitting as they are designed to last for 50,000 hours - a lot longer than traditional bulbs.

The Council's Development Fund will invest £1,000 towards buying the new bulbs, which will cost £2,800 to put the new lights in the strings. It is thought that around £1,500 would be saved with LEDs every year in reduced electricity bills, which could be used to spend on other council projects.

The switch comes as the council tries to meet its 10:10 pledge to reduce carbon emissions by 10 per cent in 2010.