A COUNCIL says it will save more than £2 million over six years by switching to low energy traffic light bulbs.

Kent County Council plans to be the first authority to switch to the bulbs in its bid to be more energy-efficientand reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

The new bulbs, which are brighter, safer and have a longer life than standard lamps, are due to be installed between 2008 -09.

Once this process begins, 16,723 signal bulbs and 2,318 push-button bulbs will be replaced county-wide.

Cabinet member for Environment, Highways and Waste, Keith Ferrin, said: "Switching our traffic lights to using low-energy bulbs makes good business sense.

"The council would save money and be giving the environment a helping hand.

"The technology has been developed by one of our Kent Highway Services' partners and the timing seems to be right.

"All the signals seem to point to us doing it next year."