LABOUR’S General Election hopeful for Clacton has called on people to join a campaign to reverse the controversial streetlight switch-off.

Campaigners protested against Essex County Council’s money-saving scheme by tying yellow ribbons around lampposts yesterday.

Two-thirds of streetlights across Essex have been switched off from midnight to 5am since April in an effort to save cash and cut carbon emissions.

General Election candidate Tim Young tied a ribbon around the lamppost outside his party's office in Clacton.

Mr Young said: “We would encourage everyone to do the same and urge Essex County Council to switch our lights back on to benefit our safety and security.”

The yellow ribbons are the idea of local campaigner Maureen Smith, who started a petition to have the lights turned back on.

More than 9,000 people have signed the petition, which will be handed to County Hall bosses.

Labour councillors on Tendring Council have also put forward proposals to pay £127,000 a year to County Hall to put the district’s lights back on.