STARRY, starry nights are in danger of becoming a dim and distant memory as increasing light pollution obscures the view, claims an organisation dedicated to safeguarding the rural way of life.

The Council for the Protection of Rural England - CPRE - has published the results of a survey painting, perversely, a bleak picture of how artificial lighting has become so intrusive that some stellar landmarks are being blotted out.

Launching its Night Blight! campaign - in conjunction with the British Astronomical Association (BAA) - the CPRE said data from United States Air Force weather satellites had produced some alarming findings regarding the UK's night-time skies.

According to the campaign survey, scientists have claimed that over half of the UK's population will never see the Milky Way - Earth's own galaxy - above their homes at night due to light pollution.

Five of the 12 constellations used in horoscopes had also become entirely invisible in the most light-polluted skies, with some stars missing from the other seven constellations, it was also claimed.

The CPRE's regional policy officer for the West Midlands, Gerald Kells, said: "Star-filled night skies are one of the things that make our countryside so special.

"We've found they are disappearing fast because of careless, wasteful use of outdoor light."

The CPRE and BAA - which represents thousands of amateur astronomers - have called for action to combat the problem by all organisations and individuals involved, ranging from central and local government to consumers and citizens, as well as businesses.

One Vale amateur astronomer, Ken Sheldon, of Maytree Road, Lower Moor, is well aware of the escalating problem, having seen it get worse over the 18 years he has lived in the village with his wife, Chris. Both are fellows of the Royal Astronomical Society.

"When we came here," said Mr Sheldon, who is also a member of the BAA, "you could go outside and, if it was clear, you could see all sorts of things with the naked eye; now you need binoculars to see the same things."

Mr Sheldon, who is 73, lived in the country during his childhood in the Second World War years, when the skies were much clearer. "I really feel sorry for the kids today," he added.

In the Vale, the issue of light pollution is a matter for the environmental health section of Wychavon District Council but it is limited in what it can do, said environmental protection manager, Geoff Carpenter.

"We're not surprised with the CPRE's findings," he said, "Light pollution does not only prevent us from being able to see the stars: it can also cause real disturbance to people's lives through poorly designed lighting systems.

"Wychavon's environmental health department regularly receives complaints and enquiries from people affected by light pollution - mainly security lighting systems.

"We need new powers from central Government and hope that this latest evidence will help. Light pollution can be minimised quite easily, using good design practices."