FAMILIES across Oxfordshire are being asked to crane their necks and gaze at the stars as part of a campaign to track light pollution.

Star Count Week 2012, which begins on Friday, is being organised by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and the British Astronomical Association’s (BAA) Campaign for Dark Skies.

The campaign aims to monitor light pollution caused by security lights, floodlights and street lights.

CPRE Oxfordshire director Helen Marshall said: “The Star Count survey is simple enough and people of all ages can get involved – it’s fun for all the family.

“We think that there aren’t any truly dark skies in Oxfordshire anymore.

“The challenge of Star Count Week will be to gather the evidence needed to prove this.”

According to the CPRE, between 1993 and 2000 light pollution increased by 24 per cent across England and the amount of truly dark sky dropped from a sixth to just over a 10th.

Results from last year’s event showed that 59 per cent of people across the UK are living with severe light pollution.

The CPRE and BAA are continuing to monitor the issue and are asking the public to count the stars for their ongoing survey.

Mrs Marshall added: “This is our third survey and the public is helping us to get really good evidence of the increasing problems of light pollution.

“We can then use this to talk to local authorities and encourage them to take action, for example by ensuring that the correct lighting is used only where and when it is needed.”

Stargazers are being asked to count as many stars as possible in the constellation of Orion.

The results will help to create a 2012 Star Count map, showing where a clear view of the night sky is most affected by light pollution.

For details of how to get involved and what to look for, log on to cpre.org.uk/starcount l People are invited to take part in a free Stargazing Oxford event at Oxford University on Saturday.

Visitors to the Denys Wilkinson building at the Department of Physics in Keble Road will have the chance to observe the night sky through a range of telescopes. Fun activities include making your own cardboard telescopes and satellites. The event runs from 2pm to 10pm and there is no need to book in advance.