Sales of traditional 100-watt light bulbs are on the rise in Bristol after the Government announced they would be phased out this month.

Some retailers have stopped restocking conventional bulbs as the Government looks to energy-efficient alternatives in its drive to lower carbon emissions.

Hundreds of leading supermarkets and DIY chains across the country – including Sainsbury's, Asda and Homebase – have reportedly sold their last bulbs after panic buying.

Around Bristol yesterday some shops said supplies of traditional light bulbs were running low or had run out and would not be replaced.

The manager of one hardware store said a customer called yesterday to place a bulk order for old-style light bulbs.

David Cocks, manager of The Handyman Shop in Keynsham, said demand for conventional bulbs had grown in the last few months.

"I spoke to our suppliers and they said normally they would have sold a couple of hundred bulbs in a morning, but they have sold 25,000.

"We are continuing to sell the traditional bulbs because there a lot of people who just don't like the light that comes out of the newer energy-saving bulbs and some people believe they carry health risks," he said.

"This is an example of complete mismanagement by the Government. The new bulbs are more expensive to buy and it effects smaller shops like ours."

Three packs of 100w light bulbs were left on the shelves of Tesco in Eastville yesterday morning and none were available in Morrisons in Cribbs Causeway.

Tommy George, assistant manager of Maplin Electronics in Gloucester Road, Bishopston, said the store would no longer stock traditional light bulbs as it was part of a voluntary agreement to phase them out.

John Lewis in Cribbs Causeway is also participating in the Government's proposal.

By the end of the month it will stop replacing all 150w, 100w and 75w bulbs, and by January 2010 will no longer replace 60w traditional light bulbs.

The Government has signed up to an EU decision to replace traditional 100w light bulbs with low-energy bulbs which are small versions of the fluorescent strip lights found in offices and public buildings.

Ministers say switching to energy-saving lightbulbs – which use a fifth of the energy of traditional bulbs – would reduce carbon dioxide by about five milllion tonnes each year.

But opponents say energy-saving bulbs can cause health problems, are more expensive, offer a poorer quality of light, flicker and do not work with dimmer switches.

Retailers had to stop replenishing supplies of conventional 100w bulbs at the start of January under the voluntary Government scheme, covering high street chains and supermarkets.

Shops stopped selling traditional 150w bulbs last year and 60w bulbs will be phased out across the country in 2010.

The Migraine Action Association called on the Government to provide a choice over light bulbs, claiming people with the condition could suffer attacks because of a flicker in fluorescent bulbs.

"We are saying the new bulbs should not be used in reading lights, or where people eat. They can be used in areas of low traffic, such as hallways, and people must be given a choice over which type of bulbs to buy," said the association's director, Lee Tomkins.

Conservative MEP for the West Country, Neil Parish, said a ban on incandescent light bulbs was not practical on health grounds.

"The European Commission and the British Government must be careful not to cause pain and disability," he said.

"There are a number of conditions, including epilepsy, lupus, migraine and autism, which can be adversely affected by fluorescent lighting."

A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokeswoman said: "Installing low-energy light bulbs is a great way to help the environment and save money, and is something we can all do really easily.

"Retailers have voluntarily agreed to phase out all incandescent light bulbs by 2012 – ahead of the EU mandatory phase out by 2016.

"An energy-efficient bulb can last up to 10 times longer than a traditional bulb. Just one energy efficient bulb could save up to £7 a year in bills and could save around £60 before it needs replacing."

As to health, she said: "Energy efficient light bulbs are not a danger to the public.

"We are aware of some anecdotal evidence that the use of these bulbs could have adverse effects on some people's health and are working with the lighting industry and the Department of Health to resolve these issues," she told the Bristol Post.