A CAMPAIGN against wind farms around Rossendale is gaining momentum.

Protest group Friends of the South Pennines formed two months ago to fight plans for three wind farms in Reaps Moss, Britannia, Todmorden Moor and Crook Hill near Littleborough.

Plans have been submitted to Rossendale, Calderdale and Rochdale Councils by London-based developers Coronation Power.

At the Friends' meeting yesterday at the Crown Inn, Bacup, protesters were joined by Labour County Councillor Sean Serridge, and Jake Berry, the Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Rossendale and Darwen.

Group spokeswoman Denise McGowan said: "Mr Berry contacted us because he agrees with what we are saying - renewable energy is definitely a good thing, but these locations are just not suitable.

"Reaps Moss for instance is a peat bog and is very close to residential areas."

Mr Berry also started a campaign to ensure resid-ents are not badly affected by the controversial Scout Moor wind farm, approved last year despite years of fierce protests.

Preparatory work on the site, on moorland between Edenfield and Rochdale, has been ongoing for several months. The 26 turbines, making it one of the biggest wind farms in the country, will be put in place at the end of the summer.

Mr Berry is campaigning to get assurances that villagers in Edenfield will not suffer when the turbines are transported to the site - the route developers will use is through Market Street and Rochdale Road, the main thoroughfares.

He said: "I am giving my full support because they are at the stage where they can raise these issues now, before planning permission has been given."