What are you going to do over the next two decades: welcome children or grandchildren into the world? Attend the inauguration of Britain's first robot prime minister? Change a light bulb?

Well, we can tell you: maybe, yes and no, in that order. That's because LED light bulbs that will last more than 20 years are set to go on sale in the UK later this year, according to reports.

Attendees of the Light Fair industry conference in Las Vegas this week were treated to a preview of the bulbs, which Philips, General Electric and Sylvania all hope to introduce into their respective markets by the end of the year.

The bulbs use low-energy light emitting diodes to produce illumination, and use cooling mechanisms to prolong the life of the bulb and combat a challenge long faced by LED light bulb manufacturers in managing waste heat produced by the bulbs.

It's expected that each LED bulb will last more than 20 years if used for an average of three hours a day.

And speaking to the BBC, industry expert James Russill predicted the newly announced bulbs would be a major step for the growing industry.

"LEDs promise to be the way forward for the whole sector," he explained. "There are so many benefits: they can be smaller, brighter; it is one of those rare technologies where the trial has shown it performs better than the lighting systems it is replacing but, at the same time, uses less energy."

But LEDs aren't just for those homeowners looking to save on their environmental output and energy bills, according to interior design expert Jo Hamilton, who this week spoke of the soft, natural-style light the bulbs are now capable of producing - making them perfect for the chic homeowner.

"They've still got some way to go, but they are improving," she said. "It's much more akin to natural daylight, meaning the colour rendering is much better."