AFTER being overwhelmed with support from Herald readers, campaigning hardware shop owner Liz Denton is taking her case for saving the traditional 100 watt lightbulb to the Prime Minister.

AFTER being overwhelmed with support from Herald readers, campaigning hardware shop owner Liz Denton is taking her case for saving the traditional 100 watt lightbulb to the Prime Minister.Mrs Denton, 47, of RKL Tools, in High Street, Honiton, has launched a petition, which she intends to personally deliver to 10 Downing Street.Signatures are being collected now - just call into the shop."My supplier has told me he will keep selling them to me until 2015," she said."My customers, who prefer the lightbulb to energy saving ones, are glad to have a voice on the issue."Mrs Denton spoke to the Herald during an all-day phone-in on the subject at our newsroom last Friday.Among those to contact her following our previous story was an 87-year-old man with a sight impairment. He told her he can't see using the new bulbs."People are leaving these bulbs on all night, so they can't be saving energy," she said.The Government has rolled out a voluntary ban on the sale of 100 watt lightbulbs and major retailers have already stopped selling them.Mary Powell, 76, of Uplyme, called the Herald to say more information about energy saving lightbulbs must be made available to the public."Some people seem to be a bit worried about them," she said."What's all this about having to leave the room for 20 minutes if one breaks?"My son has tried the 40 and 60 watt energy saving lightbulbs and says they won't be any good for me - they are not bright enough."I wouldn't be able to see with them."What really annoys Mrs Powell is that her freedom to choose is being slowly taken away.She said: "It's just like this digital television business, it's being forced on us."Jo Surtees, 69, of Honiton, is all in favour of energy saving lighbulbs, but isn't convinced they last as long as advertised."I bought a 20 watt energy saving lightbulb in Tesco. The packet said it would last six years but, the other night, not long after I bought it, it started flickering," she said."I think the lightbulbs are good, because they don't get so hot. "I've been using them for years for this very reason, on health and safety grounds."I'm sure, we won't be able to buy the other bulbs soon."Vicky O'Hara, 55, of Ottery St Mary, says energy saving lightbulbs are ugly and would like to know what the Queen is going to do to preserve the elegance of light fittings in Buckingham Palace."It's almost like we are living under a dictatorship these days. We should have a choice in matters," she said. "I never buy the new bulbs and will stockpile the old-type ones."I have light fittings that were passed down from my late mother, and I shall never take them down."They require clear candle bulbs."Mrs O'Hara could tell something had changed in her home instantly, after her husband used a free energy saving lightbulb in a table lamp."It didn't give off a clear light," she said."Energy saving lightbulbs are ugly."What's the Queen going to do? I'm sure she's got some beautiful light fittings."The Herald received more than 20 calls on the subject of energy saving lightbulbs last week.Most of those who called wished to remain anonymous. All but Mrs Surtees were against an official ban on the 100 watt lightbulb.Readers complained that Britain has become a 'nanny state' and that the electorate is to blame - for not standing up to politicians through the ballot box.To sign the petition, visit RKL Tools and Hardware, near Honiton Baptist Church.