CUSTOMERS now have a safe journey to their local newsagents at night after council bosses made the street lights brighter.

Brothers Yusuf and Mohammed Mayat, who run Mayat News, Durham Road, Darwen, were backed by Darwen MP Janet Anderson in their bid for extra lighting near their shop .

Mrs Anderson said there were street lamps along Durham Road but there was a large space opposite the shop with none.

After months of discussions with Blackburn with Darwen Council, council bosses compromised last month by enhancing the existing lights increasing their height and making them 20 watts brighter.

Mr Mohammed Mayat, 30, said he was pleased with the results and had already noticed a difference.

He added: "We haven't got an extra lamp but they have made four or five brighter, which lights up the area near the shop quite well.

"It has made a difference to us and I am sure it has made a difference to the elderly people who have been put off by the darkness."

His brother Yusuf, 40, said: "We used to get kids running in and pinching things on dark nights. We open at 6.30am and close about 5.45pm so it could get very dark at the start and end of the day. It is better now."

Mrs Anderson, who lives in the Sunnyhurst area, said: "Mr Mayat had been asking for a long time for an additional streetlight opposite the shop.

"If you look along Durham Road, there is a huge space on the opposite side to the shop with no street lamps at all. I have been battling with the council for more than a year.

"The reason for the request is that Mr Mayat was having problems with kids running in and pinching stuff on dark nights so it was really important in the winter."

George Bell, associate director (highways and transportation), said: "Improvements in street lighting on Durham Road have been carried out recently.

"Six lamp posts have been increased in height and new lanterns and lamps instal-led. The new lamps are 20 watts brighter and white light, increasing light levels. Two are within 20 metres of Mr Yusuf's shop."