A Darlington resident has launched a petition to get year-round lighting in a park, branding it “unsafe” in the dark.

Sophie Meredith-Smith has lived near Eastbourne Park for the past 15 years and has said lighting in the park has always been an issue.

She said: “There are only three little lights in there that are very dim and most of the park is just completely plunged in darkness. I've got a dog and when I finish work at 5 o'clock, I want to walk him. But the park is pitch black, it's ridiculous.”

She also said the park does not feel safe when it gets dark, due to the lack of lighting.

Eastbourne Park in the pitch black (Image: SOPHIE MEREDITH-SMITH)

Sophie added: “It feels unsafe as a woman. I have got a little group of dog walking pals and if they are not meeting me in the park

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