A Cockermouth street has been a "black hole" for three-and-a-half years after a streetlight broke.

Residents are still in the dark over what action will be taken over the Tweed Mill Lane streetlight, which is thought to have stopped working after county council workers dug up nearby Lorton Road.

Allerdale council is responsible for the light but nothing has been done to resolve the situation.

Ian Norman, of Tweed Mill Lane, a residential street between Lorton Road and Lorton Street, said: "It's like a black hole.

"People have stopped using the lane at night because it's so dark. 

"It wasn't quite so bad before they changed the lumens in the lamps on Lorton Road but now there's no ambient light coming from them so the lane is very dark indeed. 

"It's ridiculous that no agreement has been reached. 

"I've contacted Alan Smith, who's our local councillor as well as being leader of Allerdale, and I've contacted Eric Nicholson who's our county councillor but nothing's happened so far. 

"It's frustrating. Three-and-a-half years and they still haven't put it right." 

An Allerdale council spokesman said: "We can confirm that the light in question is one of our lights. 

"We have recently been in discussion with Cumbria County Council about the work required to get the power reinstated by them after they removed the electric cable. 

"We shall work with the county council to ensure this happens as soon as possible."

A county council spokesman said: "The power supply line to the street light in Tweed Mill Lane is worn out and needs to be replaced for safety reasons. 

"Allerdale council is responsible for maintaining this street light and we are working with them to resolve the issue."