PEOPLE across the county are being encouraged to take advantage of a new grant available to introduce dark sky-friendly outdoor lighting.

Northumberland National Park Authority is reminding residents and businesses within the park to apply for some of the £4,000 made available by energy snack company CLIF Bar.

The company, which has already established funding projects in the USA and Canada, has launched its first round of conservation grants to national parks in the UK.

The national park is part of the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, England’s first and Europe’s second largest, and incorporates Kielder Water and Forest Park, covering 1,483 square kilometres. Some areas of the park are fully designated dark skies and therefore no new artificial outdoor lighting is permitted in these areas.

Businesses and residents living in the park can apply for funding to help them adapt or replace any outside lighting that might be unshielded or too bright, which could be contributing to light pollution and impacting upon the dark skies.

Duncan Wise, visitor development and marketing manager at Northumberland National Park, said: “We are proud to have such pristine skies here in Northumberland.

“This is a great opportunity for residents and businesses in the park to help conserve our dark skies for the future and install the lighting they need for safety and security.

“It is estimated that over £1bn is wasted in the UK through poorly installed, badly designed and inefficient outdoor lighting every year.

"Yet, environmentally friendly solutions which are fully-shielded, are becoming more and more affordable.”

Applicants are asked to contact Duncan Wise for an informal discussion by emailing duncan.wise@npa.org.uk