The issue has become a hot topic after a letter sent to The Times sparked a debate.

Lady Mimi Pakenham of Warminster wrote a letter to newspaper suggesting that floodlights around the ancient stones would give the famous site “dignity.”

She argued that to educate the public and interest children in Stonehenge and the ancient world it was necessary to “add some magic”.

During the 1970s and 80s Stonehenge was lit but since then it has been shrouded in darkness once the sun goes down.

Many other World Heritage Sites such as the Acropolis in Greece or the Great Pyramid in Egypt are illuminated at night.

The setting of Stonehenge has been described as a “national disgrace” and Lady Pakenham said that spotlights around the stones would help people enjoy it at night.

However the idea has been dismissed by stargazers who do not want to add to the light pollution around the stones, and others say that keeping the site in darkness adds to its mysterious appeal.

An English Heritage spokesman said that lighting the stones at night could also have serious consequences on the safety of the A303.

“Stonehenge was lit up at night for a period in the 1970s and early 1980s but that practice was stopped due to an increase in road accidents caused by vehicles slowing down to observe the monument. As there is even more traffic today on the A303 there are on a purely practical level some serious safety issues to consider.

“Since the 1970s, our understanding of the critical relationship between the monument and the moon and stars overhead has increased, so another important consideration is whether introducing light onto the monument and into the World Heritage Site will genuinely enhance people’s appreciation and understanding.”