A PUBLIC meeting is to be held tomorrow about plans to build an industrial wind farm on the County Durham border.

Npower Renewables wants to erect eight 120-metre high wind turbines at Shotleyfield, near Shotley Bridge, to generate electricity to power 8,000 homes.

Residents of the nearby hamlets, Kiln Pit Hill and Unthank, have formed a group in opposition to the proposal and are giving a presentation at the meeting.

Protestor Michelle Eagle, of Kiln Pit Hill, said: "The turbines they have got planned are huge and they will tower over the hillside.

"They will destroy what the area looks like and have a dramatic impact on the landscape."

Mrs Eagle is also worried the arrival of a wind farm would increase the number of road accidents in the area as drivers' eyes are drawn to them instead of the road. She also fears flickering from the blade could startle horses, making it unsafe for riders.

Mrs Eagle said: "They are not that effective and this is just destroying the countryside for nothing."

The meeting is being held in St John's Church Hall, Snods Edge, near Shotley Bridge, at 7.30pm.

The group has launched a website - www.saynotowind farm.co.uk

It also plans to distribute 5,000 leaflets to homes and businesses in the area to encourage people to oppose the scheme. Tynedale District Council has yet receive a planning application from Npower Renewables.

The company has organised two meetings to inform people about the scheme.

One will be held at St John's Church, in Snods Edge, on June 25, and the other will be held the day after in Shotley Bridge Village Hall, on The Terrace. Both take place from 10am to 4pm.

Project manager Joanna Thompson said: "Various environmental studies have been ongoing both on and around the proposed wind farm site to assist us in pulling together a draft design for the scheme.

"These public exhibitions are a key part of our public consultation activity and the feedback that we receive will assist us in finalising our proposals."

The company has set up a phone number people can ring for more information, on 0845 021 3208.