ACCORDING to Lancashire County Council, installing wind turbines is the most effective way of generating energy after nuclear power.

The council is currently carrying out a feasibility study into placing the electricity-generating giants across the county.

It is one way the council can reach a government target and produce 10 per cent of its energy from renewable sources by 2010.

Each turbine can produce enough energy for hundreds of homes, reducing the demand on natural resources and the production of greenhouse gases.

And a turbine creates as much renewable energy as 800 solar water heating systems, another method the council has considered implementing.

County Councillor Tony Martin said: "I know people have root and branch objections to these turbines but they are the most effective way of generating energy short of nuclear power.

"We want to promote as many green policies as possible but we need to do it in a way which is cost effective and benefits as many people as possible."

Money raised by the scheme would be used to promote energy conservation projects. The council cites the success of a similar project in Swansea as evidence of such benefits.

Friends of the Earth backed the scheme. Its spokesman said: "All new developments should include renewable energy sources.

"There is no alternative and planning guidance should be changed so that it automatically finds in favour of things like wind turbines which are excellent for the environment."