Thousands of more energy-efficient street lights are to replace outdated lanterns in Edinburgh.

Councillors have approved plans to upgrade lights across the city that will save an estimated £77 million over the next 20 years.

Members of the transport and environment committee have agreed proposals to convert 54,000 street lights to energy-efficient LED (Light Emitting Diodes).

The move follows £2.15m project funded by a loan from a Government funding provider to replace 7,000 obsolete lanterns with LED lights last year, aiming to reduce the cost of energy consumption for the city’s street lights, which was £2.97m per year.

With energy rates expected to double within the next 10 years, the council said the use of LEDs will allow it to reduce electricity usage while mitigating the expected rise in carbon costs.

Lesley Hinds, transport and environment convener, said: “The city-wide roll-out of LED lights is a huge step towards an efficient, sustainable future for Edinburgh.

"Not only will it reduce carbon emissions but will have a real impact on energy costs in the long term.

“Our aim is to draw on experience gained from the first phase of white lights which has allowed us to gauge demands on lamp brightness and control for residents and traffic.”

Lessons learned from the initial project, when some residents considered lights to be too dim, have been taken into account.

This has resulted in the proposed installation of brighter LEDs with the facility to remotely adjust lighting levels, rather than individually, where necessary.