“PUT that light out!” may be a phrase that became common during the war - but it's a message that businesses in Ipswich have taken into the 21st century.

“PUT that light out!” may be a phrase that became common during the war - but it's a message that businesses in Ipswich have taken into the 21st century.

The Evening Star has been around many of the largest office buildings in the town at a time when few workers would be expected at their desks.

And most were dark or nearly dark when photographer Jerry Turner visited between 5pm and 6pm on a Sunday.

All had a low level of security lighting on display and some had decorative floodlighting - but those had no lights on in the main office section of the building.

Probably the darkest building of all was Ipswich Borough Council's new headquarters at Grafton House in Russell Road.

There was some security lighting on in the ground floor reception area, but the rest of the building was dark.

Like many other modern offices in the town, its lights are controlled by motion sensors which turn them off if no-one is in the room.

Council leader Liz Harsant was proud of Ipswich's achievement in cutting down on energy.

She said: “Five years ago no one seemed to worry about that kind of thing - you'd see offices lit up at all hours of the day or night.

“We wanted to ensure that Grafton House was energy-efficient and I am pleased to hear that it was not lit up at that time.

“And it is good to know that other businesses are also energy-efficient - it shows that Ipswich is a town that cares about the environment,” she said.

Across the road at the county council's Endeavour House headquarters, the offices themselves were dark although security lighting showed up the glass-fronted atrium.

Deputy council leader Jane Storey said: “Because of the way the building uses glass, the light in the atrium does show up the building - but overall it is very energy efficient. Our lights have motion sensors which can be a bit disconcerting if you are sitting quietly reading.”

The new crown court building on the corner of Russell Road is externally lit by floodlights - but inside its offices and courtrooms also have lights controlled by motion sensors.

The Berkeley Business Centre in Princes Street, the Willis building, and Crown House near the Tower Ramparts bus station were also mainly dark.

Like the crown court the Old Custom House and the Ashton Graham building (previously Contship) are lit by floodlights - but there was little sign of internal lights on.

The only building which did have many lights on was AXA's offices in Civic Drive, which is home to much of the company's call centre operation and staff are present 24 hours a day, seven days a week.