A cold-cathode fluorescent lamp, comprising a sealed lighting enclosure provided with a phosphor coating on at least part of an inner surface thereof the lighting enclosure. An electrode is provided juxtaposed a region of the inner surface of the lighting tube, the electrode energisable from an external source of energy via an electric lead supporting the electrode, and positioned adjacent the main ionisation region within the lighting enclosure. The phosphor is to be excited by radiation to be generated inside the lighting tube by electric discharge from the electrode to provide visible radiation. At least part of the surface(s) of that portion of the electrode proximal most to the ionisation region are overlaid by a cap made from a high heat resistive and non conductive material.