PLANS for a 12-mile bridge linking Cumbria and Lancashire across Morecambe Bay have moved a step forward.

Research has revealed that the 'green' bridge could help produce energy for up to 80 per cent of homes in the North West through tidal power.

The company behind the proposals, Bridge Across the Bay, says its priority is renewable energy and that use of the dream bridge as a transport route from Heysham to Barrow is a secondary issue.

Independent research into the potential of the bridge, which would use underwater and offshore wind turbines, has been carried out by hydraulic specialists HG Wallingford.

It found the project, which could create up to 2,000 jobs, could produce enough tidal power to fuel 2.2m of the 2.8m households in the north west of England.

Environmentalists have warned the project will need to meet tough guidelines as the bay is a special protection area.

But David Brockbank, chairman of Bridge Across the Bay, promises that everything possible will would be done to preserve the environment.

He says: "Extracting the potential energy would have a major impact on the ecology of the bay.

"For that reason, we aim to extract no more than 10 per cent of potential power and are committed to minimising the impact on the environment."

The bridge would also shave an hour off the journey between Lancashire and the Lake District.

Lancaster City Council and Barrow Borough Council are due to discuss the latest findings.