THOUSANDS of homes could benefit from green energy after work began on a new wind farm on the outskirts of Burnley.

The three turbine project at Hameldon Hill will produce enough green electricity to meet the average annual needs of 2,400 homes, according to energy bosses.

Project manager Rod Blunden, of npower renewables2, said: "We have started the preliminary site work and construction will be completed within the year.

"It's been quite a while since the North West has had any new wind farms built and the Hameldon Hill cluster is a wonderful opportunity for the area to further continue to help meet targets for renewable energy and to progress the fight against the threat of climate change."

He added: "Hameldon Hill is a relatively small scale wind farm, but we need a mix of small and large scale on-shore and off-shore wind projects as well as other renewable energies to help the UK to cut harmful emissions and bridge the country's energy gap.

"This will help ensure a clean and sustainable energy future."

Construction of the three state-of-the-art turbines and infrastructure will be carried out by REpower UK and the wind farm will have a combined capacity of up to 4.5 megawatts.

Access tracks and turbine foundations will be built over the next few months, with construction of the turbines taking place towards the end of the year.

Hapton with Park councillor Peter McCann said the development was a small one that had not raised any opposition in the local area.

Coal Clough Wind Farm on the moors above Cliviger, is one of the most prominent in the region and has been the battleground for campaigners both for and against alternative energy.

It was given permission in November to extend its use for another ten years.

Last year, plans for a 26-turbine wind farm at Scout Moor, Whitworth, Rossendale, were given the green light although the final decision from the Secretary of State has yet to be taken.

There are also moves to bring a smaller wind farm to moors above Edgworth, with a public inquiry due this year.