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Lights on the Bristol to Bath cycle path are being shut off to help glow worms looking for love.

According to the Bristol Post , South Gloucestershire Council are giving the insects a helping hand by turning down lights to create a more romantic setting.

Britain’s native population of the insects has rapidly declined since the 1950s because of the growth of artificial lighting in cities.

The females give off a bright green “landing light” to attract males but street lamps and light pollution can prevent males from finding them.

Glow worms, or fireflies, thrive in hedgerows and along old railway lines in particular.

And the lights on the Bristol to Bath cycle path - a former railway - have been turned off in a bid to encourage them after it was identified as a prime environment.

Until September the route along the stretch near Mangotsfield will be illuminated instead by tiny lights as bright as LEDs.

The council have put up signs explaining the move to avoid people being left in the dark.

They read: "Glow worms are fascinating creatures suffering decline.

"We are committed to trying to protest grassland and safeguard our biodiversity.

"Glow worms are actually beetles. They spend two years as tiny larvae living in rough grass and eating insects - especially snails.

"In the summer months of their second year, the males hatch into flying adults.

"The females develop luminous light organs and glow to attract males.

"The female climbs a long blade of grass night after night and glows for just a few hours after dusk.

"The light is subtle and easily drowned out by street lighting.

"If the female doesn't attract a mate she will starve and die without laying eggs."

The turn-off has been welcomed by local people and cyclists alike.

Cyclist Tony Coll said: "When the streetlights are on, the poor sod can't find a partner.

"But now he can - thanks to whoever's idea this was, bravo. Very British, very English, very Bristol."

Everything you need to know about glow worms