Street lights are being changed so stargazers can have a clearer look at the night sky.

Romantics and astronomers have long complained that soaring light pollution is blocking their view of the heavens.

Now Brighton and Hove City Council is doing something about it - and is thought to be one of only a handful of local authorities trying to cut the haze.

All new street lamps are to be positioned so the glare is focused on the ground.

Andy Westwood, principal lighting engineer for Brighton and Hove City Council, said: "All street lighting schemes installed by the city council now are designed with the latest fittings to prevent light pollution.

"These control the light, directing it where it is needed to light the street effectively and efficiently.

"Light is directed down on to the pavements and roads, not up into the night sky or people's bedrooms."

Professional astronomers welcomed the council's policy.

Dr Robert Smith, reader in astronomy at Sussex University, said: "This is becoming an increasing problem as cities and towns get more lighting.

"If I think back to the days of my youth it was so much easier to see the stars.

"It's very difficult now and we are losing some of our heritage.

"Although it is much too expensive to change all the existing lights, it is a good policy to change all new ones being installed.

"It is very definitely good news if councils are taking this issue of light pollution seriously - and it will save them money in the long run as it is a waste of resources for lights to be pointing upwards."

Celebrity stargazer Patrick Moore has long been a campaigner for reducing the glare caused by street lighting.

He chose to live in Selsey because there are much lower levels of light pollution in rural areas.

Dr Smith said light pollution was a particular problem along parts of the south coast because of the dense population.

He would like to see more being done to reduce it.

He said: "I would encourage the Government to introduce legislation so there could be a limit on light pollution.

"The Czech Republic is, I believe, the only country in Europe to have done this although other countries around the world have done so, for example Japan."

Local authorities have departments responsible for other forms of pollution, such as noise, but they do not cater specifically for light pollution because of the lack of Government legislation.

Brighton Kemp Town MP Des Turner has signed a petition urging the European Council to issue a directive to reduce light pollution.

He said: "Light pollution has increased enormously in recent years.

"If you see photos of Brighton and Hove now compared with several years ago, the difference is quite staggering.

"It's sometimes difficult to know what can be done about it, though, especially as we demand light for community safety."