THE Tamar Valley AONB team is asking for help from residents to observe and record the number of stars that can be seen from their own back gardens, to help measure light pollution in the Tamar Valley AONB.

Following on from last winter’s hugely successful Stargazing events at Buckland Abbey and Harrowbarrow, that introduced the idea of light pollution and showed participants what to look for when observing the sky at night, the team is now looking for as many people as possible to take part in the Community Star Count.

Sam Barnes, Helping Hands for Heritage project officer, said: ‘The night skies are an important part of the character of the AONB and contribute to its tranquility, but it is being affected by light pollution.

Only eleven percent of England still has truly dark night skies, as the threat of light pollution from our surrounding towns and cities increases. This also has an affect on wildlife by interrupting migration and feeding patterns.’

To take part in the Community Star Count, residents should step outside on one evening between December 11 and 20 and let your eyes get accustomed to the darkness. Locate and observe the constellation Orion — full details on how to do this at www.tamarvalley.co.uk/ hh4h — and count the number of stars you see.

Everyone who submits their star count will be entered into a prize draw. Results will be available from the beginning of February.