THERE is light on the horizon at last for worried residents who slammed electricity and council officials for leaving them in the dark for five months.

People living in Rockcliffe Street, Blackburn, have been told the problem is due to be resolved -- just as the nights are getting shorter.

Brian Booth is concerned the broken street light outside his home, which has not worked since October last year, could lead to a serious incident.

He said: "We are very worried about people's safety. Anyone could be mugged. One woman is 70 years old. The steps to her house are steep and they are not lit at all."

Coun Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "The street light was disconnected from its electrical supply by United Utilities while they completed work on an adjacent traffic sign.

"We are not allowed to carry out work on United Utilities' underground cable network and are therefore reliant on them completing the work."

Mr Booth contacted United Utilities in January but says they have done very little to resolve the problem.

The council has also been pressing the utility company to act.

Coun Kay said: "We are applying pressure and I understand action will be taken this week."

United Utilities said the work outside Mr Booth's house was top of its list and would be completed on Monday.

But a spokeswoman said the council must take some blame for the delay. She said: "The council will only let us do jobs which involve digging up the road from Monday to Wednesday. Obviously with that restriction there is a backlog."