Residents in Kendal were unable to appreciate the Northern Lights last week because of the increasing levels of light pollution.

Stuart Atkinson, a local astronomer, has gone into detail about how his efforts to capture the rare phenomenon were scuppered due to the low visibility.

He has called on people and businesses to change the way they use exterior lighting after personally witnessing the deteoration of nighttime views.

Mr Atkinson said: "I decided to head up to Kendal Castle to see what I could see from there."

"Unfortunately when I reached the castle around half past midnight it became obvious that I wasn't going to get a good view of the display because of the appalling amount of light pollution Kendal now has, especially coming from the northern end of town."The Westmorland Gazette: Stuart Atkinson's attempts to picture the Northern Lights were prevented by excessive light pollutionStuart Atkinson's attempts to picture the Northern Lights were prevented by excessive light pollution (Image: Stuart Atkinson)

Writer of the Westmorland Gazette's weekly astronomy column, Mr Atkinson explained how the Aurora Borealis was completely drowned out by lights coming from industrial units and leisure facilities.

He added that it confirmed his worst fears about the light pollution in the area.

"I moved down here to Kendal over 15 years ago and when I first started going up to the castle to stargaze I could see stars right down to the northern skyline, right down to the tops of the fells.

"It seems that over the past few years there's been an explosion of light pollution sources in Kendal, to the point where the view of the night sky has been almost destroyed."The Westmorland Gazette: An example of the exterior lighting that Mr Atkinson has blamed for the poor conditionsAn example of the exterior lighting that Mr Atkinson has blamed for the poor conditions (Image: Stuart Atkinson)

The cause was branded as excessive exterior lighting not being properly shielded, with pubs, shops and even churches blamed.

"Many non-astronomer people have commented to me that as they approach Kendal from the north there is so much light it looks like Kendal itself is ablaze, some lights so dazzling that they are dangerous."

Mr Atkinson called on the 'worst offenders' to change their use of lighting to preserve the astronomical heritage of the town.

"Kendal has been known for many years as 'The Auld Grey Town'.

"Sadly, it now has so much light pollution that it should be renamed 'The Bright Orange Town'."