AS protests go, it’s certainly eye-catching.

When Iain and Lynn Smith got fed up with the newly fitted bright lights along Worcester’s riverside, they found they were “getting nowhere” with their complaints.

Now this striking poster, a six foot by two foot sign declaring “the lights are too bright and are on all night” has been plastered outside the front of their property.

Mr Smith, aged 59, of Diglis Avenue, said: “We’ve already had lots of people stand by to gaze at it. It’s the last resort for us as we’re fed up with the situation.

“Since the lights were put up they’ve been a real problem.

"We’ve seen cyclists going down here using one hand to shield their eyes from them as they go past.

"It’s lit up like an airport runway. It means we never get any blackness even at night.”

The lights were attached to bollards in Diglis Parade and Kleve Walk, beside the river Severn, last year.

They form part of the wider regeneration of the route, which has cost about £5 million and has won wide support from the public.

As the Worcester News reported two weeks ago, the county council is looking into whether the strength of the lights can be reduced.

The council has carried out independent lab tests which confirmed that although the lights meet British and European safety standards, there is a very “slight” risk if a young child stared at them at least 100 seconds or more from 20 centimetres away.

Mr Smith has made his own complaint to to the council.

The county council said investigations into the possibility of dimming the lights were continuing.

Peter Blake, head of integrated transport, said: “The improvements from the new Diglis Bridge to the city centre have significantly enhanced the quality of the public environment along the route, encouraging visitors and residents to enjoy the riverside walk.

"These enhancements have received lots of positive feedback. The county council are aware of the concerns raised by Mr Smith.”

Surveys last year revealed 97 per cent of people using Worcester’s riverside would recommend it to friends.