Two of England's most historic cricket grounds, Lord's Cricket Ground in North London and the Brit Oval in Vauxhall, London, will have "semi-permanent" telescopic floodlights installed this year to enable the venues to host one-day cricket matches late into the evening.

Nottingham-based lighting specialist Abacus has secured two deals, worth a total of £3.7m, which will see the company deliver four masts at both grounds.

Each mast will be 47.6m high when in use, and can be detracted down to 30m in size when not in use to lessen their visual impact.

According to Paul Wilson, spokesperson for Abacus, the company had to overcome strict planning regulations due to both Lords and the Oval being situated in residential areas. This resulted in the company designing the masts so that they can be removed and stored at the end of each season.

Wilson added: “Previously, the use of temporary floodlights has caused problems for residents with lighting overspill and excess glare can affect players, umpires, broadcasters and spectators.

“Our masts will be fitted with our Challenger 3 floodlights which incorporate precision reflector systems to ensure tight beam control, reducing overspill and directing light only where it is needed.”

Both venues will host games during the World Twenty20 tournament, which begins on 5 June when England meets The Netherlands at Lords.