SolarGen Solutions of Newport has tackled a tricky problem on behalf of Pembrokeshire county council.

The council's Wiseman bridge and tunnel refurbishment at Saundersfoot is a remote location which required lighting strong enough to deter vandals and direct tourists towards the beach, but subdued enough to avoid disturbing a colony of bats.

Council street lighting engineer Mel Stephens said: "The use of solar power was by far the best and most practical solution for the council to address the issues of safety for the public and the bats.

"The nearest electricity supply is more than half a mile away and external cabling would have proved very expensive and disruptive.

"The use of solar power also fits well with our green approach in Pembroke-shire and is a step in the right direction for us."

The solution uses stand-alone bollards powered by solar panels located on a frame above the tunnel. The panels store enough electrical charge in batteries during daylight hours to power the bollards.

SolarGen sales manager Ashley Wood claimed the UK could receive as much as two thirds of its energy from solar power.

He said: "Our solar solutions can be applied to just about every public lighting requirement. These bollards for example, meet all regulatory standards, are very durable and require very little maintenance."

* Pictured: Ashley Wood, SolarGen's sales manager, checks on the new lighting in the tunnel at Saundersfoot