YOUNGSTERS from several schools were the guests of honour as a wind farm was officially opened.

The three turbines on Hameldon Hill, Burnley, were switched on yesterday after five East Lancashire schools took part in a competition to promote renewable energy.

Alex Caraher, of Blessed Trinity College, Burnley; Aisha Khan, of Haslingden Primary School; and Rebecca Lyne, of St John's Stonefold Primary, Rising Bridge; were the overall winners.

As well as winning £500 of sporting equipment for their schools, the three were also given the honour of switching on the turbines, which will be named after them.

The wind farm was built by power company npower renewables.

It will help offset about 9,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, and will be capable of supplying renewable energy to 2,400 homes in the area.

Martin Kelly, project manager, said: "We are delighted to have finished the wind farm, which will be just the second built in Lancashire since 1992 and should help put Burnley firmly on the renewable energy map.

"To have pupils from the three schools switch on the turbines is particularly important as it is their generation that will have to deal with many of the issues which result as a consequence of climate change."