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A dog walker says people are left scared by his enormous stature when he walks his furry companion at night after the council turned off the local streetlights.

Scott Oldfield, who measures just over six foot and boasts an imposing physique, claims people move into pathways and drives when he’s out with his pet beagle after 11pm in Market Rasen.

The 40-year-old former security worker said it’s ‘not a nice feeling’ to be judged by his size but insisted the lack of lighting in the town is to blame for the problem.

He said: “When you are walking down the street and I can physically see people moving into pathways - it’s not a nice feeling.

“I always make sure I interact with people to make sure they feel safe.

“I do get judged a lot because of the size of me.

“But I understand it can be intimidating because they can’t see me with the lights off.”

Communities across Lincolnshire were plunged into darkness in 2016 when the county council pressed ahead with controversial plans to turn off 38,000 street lights.

Under the new rules lights now turn off between 10pm and 12am until 6am.

Work began in 2016 and carried on into early 2017, as the authority looked to make savings of £41 million.

The move has generated anger in the county with high-profile local figures such as Lincoln actor Colin McFarlane calling on decision-makers to rethink the policy.

Scott is currently staying with in-laws on Coronation Road, and says he has spoken to elderly people in the town who feel trapped in their homes.

He said: “A lot of people say they will not walk into town as there’s no lighting and they don’t feel safe making it back.

“One particular street I walk down has no lights on at all and I know a lot of older people live down there.

“I walk past some houses and I can see old people by themselves with light on – but they can’t see me waking past.

“I’d never do anything, I’m not that kind of person but there is crime in the area and it is worrying.”

However, despite concerns raised by local people, the county council has insisted it is the right policy and has been handled with care.

Councillor Martin Hill, leader of the council, recently said he did not have the appetite to revisit the issue.

Richard Hardesty, senior project leader at Lincolnshire County Council, previously told Lincolnshire Live: "At every location, we've given careful consideration to the effects of dimming, converting to part-night or switching off lights.

"In some places, we found that changes wouldn't be appropriate, so the lights will stay as they are.

"Following careful consideration, the majority of residential streets in urban areas will still be lit up until at least midnight throughout the county.

"Other local authorities have already made similar changes, they have seen little or no increase in crime or road accidents. In fact, some have seen a reduction.

"It is worth noting that there are significant areas of the county's highway network where there is no street lighting at all.

"Also, new residential roads adopted as highway by the county council over the last few years have been part-night lit."