RESIDENTS were last night warned that if they do not take a stand against proposals for two wind turbines "there will be 100 more in 12 months."

David Goss, of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), made the prediction at a public meeting about the plans for the 95-metre-high machines at Uglow Farm, on the top of Broadhead Valley, Edgworth.

Mr Goss's comments were made in response to suggestions by a number of objectors that Blackburn with Darwen Council would bow to pressure from the government to meet targets for renewable energy sources.

It was the second public meeting on the issue in three months. Some 50 people attended the Barlow Institute, in Bolton Road, Edgworth, half as many as in November.

The meeting was held to help residents submit their objections effectively and explain the planning procedures.

A panel answered residents' questions. It was made up of Coun Colin Rigby, who represents the North Turton with Tockholes ward, Mr Goss and Ian Price, of residents' group Friends of Scoutmoor, which objected to proposals for 26 turbines in Rossendale.

The meeting was marked by residents expressing a lack of faith in the council due, they said, to recent contentious planning decisions affecting the village.

Mr Ross told them: "Concerns about proliferation is one reason to fight tooth and nail. Two wind generators do not generate enough electricity to justify their existence and businesses won't do anything that will waste money.

"If no one takes a stand there will be 100 more in 12 months. It has got to be fought."

He added that the area had the potential to host more windfarms because it was full of farms and land owned by United Utilities.

Coun Rigby, who is also leader of the borough's Conservative group, explained what he saw as the justification for objections: "They will be in close proximity to other buildings, we have concerns about noise levels, the possible electro-magnetic effect and the disturbance to residents while building them.

"I am not against wind farms -- just the location of this. There are more suitable areas which would cause minimum disruption."

He warned that the council's planning department must be very thorough in researching wind turbines as its decision could create a precedent.

The application for permission to build the two turbines has been submitted by Julia and Angus Dootson, who live on part of Uglow Farm.

They were approached by the government to submit the proposal in return for an annual rent if the plans were approved.

Mr Price claimed at the meeting that this figure would be £32,000 per turbine each year.

Mr and Mrs Dootson, who were not at the meeting, have always claimed that they submitted the plans for environmental reasons.

The matter is due to be considered by a planning committee in March.