TWO wind turbines which have cut electricity bills at a North-East factory by more than £100,000 in less than three years have been dismissed by a scientist as a "garden ornament".

But a supporter hit back yesterday and praised the energy-saving turbines, which have become a well-known feature at the GlaxoSmithKline factory, in Barnard Castle, County Durham.

The "ornament" comment was made by Dr John Constable, a researcher for London-based Renewable Energy Foundation, a charity whose chairman is TV's Deal Or No Deal presenter Noel Edmonds.

A Glaxo spokesman declined to comment directly on the criticism but said: "As well as saving the money, the turbines have averted over 500 tonnes of carbon emissions."

Councillor Phil Hughes, a farmer who has led Teesdale District Council's efforts to save natural resources in recent years, said: "It seems a silly and childish remark about a project which is making good use of wind power and saving electricity.

"We should be proud that this is happening here, and I hope Teesdale goes on to take part in other energy-saving schemes."

However, Dr Constable, who lives near London, said: "The comment about this being only a garden ornament is correct. The amount of electricity generated does not make it viable, because there is not enough wind in that location.

"The two turbines amount to a subsidy-milking machine. Glaxo gets an enormous subsidy from the Government for them. It is good news for the company but not for the taxpayer.

"Glaxo would have been better going in for some other form of renewable energy."

A lengthy report by the foundation assessed all the UK wind farm sites and said that the Barnard Castle turbines work at only 8.8 per cent of capacity against Government targets of about 30 per cent.

Dr Constable said: "That figure of 8.8 is ridiculously low compared with most turbine sites."

Coun Hughes was chairman of a three-year project set up to study ways of using renewable energy in the area, and will also be chairman of a new group to be launched soon with the aim of making Teesdale carbon-neutral.

The company, which bought the turbines second hand from overseas and has been using them since 2004, said they provide ten per cent of the power needed at the pharmaceutical factory.