Questions are being asked about the length of time it is taking for two heritage street lights to be fixed.

Essex County Council started work to replace the two lights in Halstead High Street in December.

The light outside Premier Travel has been replaced by a new column and the one outside Boots has a new column installed next to it.

However, the old light outside Boots has been left in place and neither the old or new lights currently work.

Both the new lamps will have embellishment kits fitted so that they match the style of the other heritage lamps.

Town clerk Mike Murkin sent a query to Essex County Council about how long it is taking for the lights to be fixed.

An Essex County Council Highways spokesman told him: "I am aware of the two columns in Halstead High Street and the need for them to be in keeping with the others and as agreed with my colleague this work will be completed as soon as possible.

"Unfortunately the embellishment kits on the old columns do not fit the new enhanced columns but these are on order and will be fitted to both columns once we have taken delivery of them.

"In the mean time we have fitted temporary lanterns to maintain light levels.

"The columns will be painted black in the spring once the weather warms up."