SOMERSET is one of England's best places for stargazers, according to night-time satellite images.

Exmoor National Park is the second darkest place in England with 92 per cent pristine dark skies, helping place West Somerset as the nation's seventh blackened district out of 326.

And 95.5 per cent of the Quantock Hills ranks within the two darkest categories out of a total of nine.

The picture is less encouraging in the county's towns, with high levels of light pollution in Taunton, Yeovil and Bridgwater.

The map, produced from satellite pictures captured at 1.30am throughout last September, shows only 22 per cent of England has pristine night skies.

The research follows increasing awareness of the harmful effects light pollution can have on the health of people and wildlife.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) is sending plans to primary schools to promote the enjoyment of dark skies and calling on local authorities to address the problems associated with light blight.

Chris Edwards, Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty manager, said: "The darkness of the skies in our wilder and more natural areas is so important to the unspoilt character we are trying to protect.

"Not only astronomers and stargazer groups appreciate this, but it is critical to much of our wildlife - both resident and migratory."

Chris Lewis, chairman of CPRE Somerset, said: "Dark skies are a key characteristic of what makes the countryside so different from urban areas and they offer a sense of awe and wonder to local people and visitors lucky enough to experience them.

"We are really proud that Exmoor National Park is leading the way in protecting its dark skies through strong lighting policies.

"We hope CPRE's new mapping will enable other areas of Somerset to make their skies as dark as possible.

"Obviously, this is more of a challenge in more populated areas, but there are steps all councils can take to reduce light levels by demanding better planning and design of new developments."

CPRE senior rural policy campaigner Emma Marrington said the benefits of dark skies for health, education and tourism are being recognised.

She added: "Our view of the stars is obscured by artificial light.

"Many children in urban area may not have seen the Milky Way, our own galaxy, due to the veil of light that spreads across their night skies.

"Councils can reduce light levels through better planning and with investment in the right street lighting that is used only where and when it is needed."

FACTFILE.

*Exmoor National Park is the second darkest place in England, with 92 per cent [pristine dark skies. It became Europe's first International Dark Sky Reserve in 2011.

*Other areas of Somerset, including the Levels and Moors, also enjoy dark skies and minimal light pollution.

*More than 22 per cent of the county has the lowest band of light pollution.

*West Somerset is the county's darkest district and seventh out of the 326 districts in England; South Somerset is 53rd, Mendip 55th, Taunton Deane 78th and Sedgemoor 91st.

*Taunton has high levels of light blight, but surrounding rural areas remain relatively dark.