The first bus shelter in the country with solar-powered lighting has been unveiled in the village of Corse.

The fact that no buses run through Corse after 6pm was no deterrent to Gloucestershire County Council, which installed the solar panel free of charge.

"They liked our bus shelter," said parish chairman Pat Lewis.

"We had planted prunus trees and had the bus shelter done up for the Millennium.

"The solar lighting was just offered to us out of the blue. It provides a subtle light and it's good for security. There are no street lights and the lady who lives opposite has a nice light to see her way home."

Just one parishioner objected to the solar lighting, because he did not like the look of the 2ft x 16in solar panel which is raised above the roof on a pole.

Natashia Reeves, of the county council's sustainable transport department, said the solar-powered bus shelter was the first in the county and is thought to be the first of its kind in the country.

"It was an experimental idea. They cost about £2,000 to supply and install and should last 10 years," she said.