Neighbours' fury as classic Victorian lamp-posts are dug up and moved to posher part of town

But one morning shocked neighbours woke to discover the 100-year-old lights had been replaced with 'tacky' modern versions because council officials deemed they did not meet 'environmental standards'.

And as a further blow to residents it emerged today that the historic lights will be moved to a more affluent part of the city.

Historic: The Victorian street lights in Clifton, Bristol

Homeowners in St Andrews, Bristol, are furious the street lights have been replaced without their knowledge.

And they were stunned to learn the lamps - which date back more than a century - are due to be installed in nearby Clifton.

Bristol City Council claims the posts in St Andrews needed replacing because their low light was encouraging street crime.

The 'tacky' new streetlight (left) and its Victorian counterpart (right)

It has confirmed that some are being moved to 'conservation areas' and admitted that workmen began removing the lamp posts before notifying residents of its plans.

Homeowners say they were left in the dark and are now campaigning to have their beloved posts returned.

Local historian David Cemlyn said: 'We woke up one morning and all the Victorian lampposts that were up and down the street had been removed.

'It's as though it's nothing to come along and take out 100-year-old lampposts and give them to another area. It's absolutely crazy.' 

He added: 'And we don't mind? Of course we mind. I'll chain myself to them if necessary.' 

Just over 30 Victorian lamp posts have illuminated the streets of St Andrews, an up-and-coming area of Bristol, since the 1920s.

But in April, the city's Labour-run council started replacing them with brighter models as part of a drive to improve crime rates.

It says the 'outdated' cast-iron columns gave off insufficient light, and claims they failed to meet environmental standards.

Those considered still to be in good working order have been earmarked for one of 33 conservation areas within the city, one of the largest of which is Clifton - home to the world-famous Suspension Bridge.

The council accepts that work took place before local residents were informed of the plans.

Incredibly, even local councillors say their removal came as a shock.

Lib Dem councillor Jon Rogers said: 'The first I knew about it was when the lamppost outside my own house was being dug up.'

Now only two of the original posts remain, which residents say they will 'battle to the end' to keep.

In a statement, Bristol City Council said it has an obligation to Bristol's 180,000 residents to improve the quality of their street lighting.

It said: 'The lighting in the St Andrews area of Bristol is relatively poor and there is a significant problem with car crime in many streets.

'We are, therefore, replacing the street lighting as part of our multi million pound city-wide programme to make the area safer.

'The 30 or so cast-iron columns that have been recently replaced in St Andrews were outdated and gave off limited light, partly because they were relatively low in height.

'They did not meet current environmental standards. They are currently in storage awaiting allocation to a scheme or schemes in one or more of our 33 conservation areas.'