Residents' concerns have resulted in a council reducing the number of lights it was planning to put up in a car park.

Copeland Council originally wanted to install 13 lights at its Catherine Street car park in Whitehaven as well as building a new cycle and smoking shelter on the grounds.

But people living nearby said it would lead to youths gathering at the hot spot car park and causing anti social behaviour.

Concerns were also raised from Copeland Disability Forum about wheelchair access to the smoking shelter.

At a planning panel this week, councillors agreed the plans put forward.

Following the meeting, a council spokesman said the authority has listened to the concerns of local residents, the crime prevention officer and Copeland Disability Forum and amended the scheme accordingly.

"We believe the increased lighting offers a safer environment for users of the car park," he said. "However, the residents' concerns have been noted and the number of lights has been reduced from 13 to 11 to minimise the impact of light pollution."

The lighting will be turned off at 10pm, following concerns about anti-social behaviour, which will "offer a compromise between providing a safe environment for users and minimising the impact on neighbouring properties," added the spokesman.

Residents say there already is a problem with youths gathering in the area and these plans will make it much worse.

Objectors previously said: "Since the car park was first lit, there's been an increase of anti-social behaviour from youths who have damaged local properties, caused intimidation, created disturbances and excessive noise and used it for drug use."

However, the council's crime prevention officer has "indicated" that illumination of the car park will help improve surveillance said the council.

"In terms of the cycle shelter, it is in a much more prominent location that, in the opinion of the crime prevention officer, is less likely to attract crime or nuisance behaviour," said the spokesman. "And the revised location of the smoking shelter is fully supported by Copeland Disability Forum."