A 92-year-old woman has blamed Lewisham Council for her sleepless nights after it replaced the light on the lamppost outside her flat with a bright white bulb that shines through her bedroom.

Barbara Smoker, Farmfield Road, says the street light opposite her home in Downham used to be a soft-orange colour and was never a problem until last week when it was changed to a vibrant white keeping her awake at night.

Mrs Smoker, a retired writer who has had her work published, said the only way she can sleep is by moving her bed around the room to avoid the light shining directly in her eyes.

She said: “They seem to be just replacing all the lights but there was nothing wrong with them so this must be costing the council a lot of money.

“I have never been a good sleeper but I’m annoyed as this is completely unnecessary.”

Mrs Smoker also said other people in her street have complained about the issue.

A Lewisham Council spokesperson said: "All 42,000 street lights are being replaced in Lewisham and Croydon as part of a five-year street lighting renewal programme. To meet with current British Standards orange street lights are being upgraded to white lighting which delivers a more natural light and will help people feel safer at night on the streets."