Solar street lights are being trialed in Edinburgh in a move designed to help the environment, lower costs and improve security in secluded spots. These electricity-free lights are powered by solar cell module, which absorb and store solar energy during day time.

The new solar lights could be rolled out across the Capital in areas where it has proved difficult to attach a power source, such as country lanes or remote bus stops.

Edinburgh is only the second place in the UK to purchase the new lights, which store energy from the sun throughout the day, automatically turning on at dusk and switching off again at dawn.

The latest move follows the on-going roll-out of solar-powered bus shelters - which are lit up using similar technology - with more than 100 now in place around the city.

Two of the lights were yesterday installed close to Edinburgh Airport for trial purposes.

They have cost the council £5000, but although this is more expensive than ordinary street lighting, it will prove cheaper in the long-run than laying electricity cables.

The lights are positioned close to the airport slip road from the A8, where services such as the Lothian Buses X48 heads out of town to Ratho, and First buses stop on the way to West Lothian. The bus shelter is mainly used by airport workers.

Councillor Andrew Burns, the city's transport leader, said: "We want more people to use buses and to ensure people feel comfortable using public transport after dark, so it is vital that we make sure the route to bus stops are as safe as possible.