A POPULAR site for star-gazers will be protected from any future light pollution after gaining Dark Sky Discovery status.

The Rollright Stones, near Chipping Norton, is one of only 100 sites in the country that have achieved the recognition for their clear views of the night sky.

The seal of approval means any future development nearby will have to carefully control lighting glare.

The ancient site was a popular location for eclipse watchers last month and is used by Chipping Norton Amateur Astronomy Group.

Robin Smitten, the group’s chairman and trustee of the Rollright Stones, said: “What it means is, not only is the site recognised for its archaeological and historical value but also for the quality of its night sky.

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“It’s such a good vantage point in the county because it’s free of light pollution.”

The site on the Oxfordshire/Warwickshire border is a complex of three neolithic and Bronze Age megalithic monuments known as The King’s Men stone circle, the King Stone and the Whispering Knights.

It has previously been names one of the Seven Wonders of the Cotswolds.

The UK Dark Sky Discovery Partnership, which presented the award, is made up of astronomy and environmental organisations that help star-gazers find the best places in the country to view the wonders of the night-time sky.

Mr Smitten added: “As part of the application process, we had to get the support of the surrounding landowners, the local authority and other people who own bits of land, and we had the support of English Heritage.”

The requirements for receiving Dark Sky Discovery status include being able to see the constellation of Orion and, to gain a two-star rating, assessors had to be able to see the Milky Way.

Mr Smitten said: “It passed their minimum requirements 10-fold which is unusual because we’ve got Chipping Norton nearby and you can see the glow of Woodstock and Bicester but not enough to detract from the night sky.”

The trustees held a Dark Sky celebration at Long Compton Village Hall on Saturday where the award was officially accepted by Mr Smitten and Rollright Trust head George Lambrick.