A £30m scheme to create the region's largest wind farm has been given the go-ahead.

Redcar and Cleveland Council's planning committee approved the Tees Wind North scheme - which could be in operation by the end of next year - at a meeting on Tuesday.

But it insisted that AMEC and Corus, joint developers for the farm, provide a £180,000 bond in case of disturbance to radar at Teesside Airport and keep a close eye on local wildlife to ensure it is not disturbed.

The construction phase of the scheme, which starts next spring on derelict land at the former Corus steelworks site in Redcar, will create 285 jobs.

Once complete, the farm - with 18 turbines each 100 metres high and with 80 metre-wide blades - will employ two full-time staff and generate enough electricity for 30,000 households.

It is expected to have a 25-year lifespan and will be the biggest farm of its kind on an industrial site in the UK.

Coun Helen McLuckie, planning committee chairman, said: "Nine members of the committee voted in favour and two against.

"Those who supported it felt there was a need for it. We felt if we didn't go down this path, do we go down the route of another coal-powered station? This is more sustainable and therefore better for the environment."

AMEC and Corus have agreed to rectify any problems with TV or radio signals, after an objection from the BBC, and monitor the wildlife situation after concern was voiced by the RSPB.

The two companies hope to develop similar farms on nine other Corus sites in the UK and Northern Europe.

David Still, general manager of AMEC's wind business, said: "This is an exciting renewable energy and we hope that local industry will capitalise on the start we have made by diversifying into supplying this rapidly-growing market."