RESIDENTS of three villages came together to protest against a proposed wind turbine development on Saturday.

The villagers from Wilton, Yearby and Kirkleatham, all near Redcar, are concerned about the proposal to build two turbines just 600 metres from Wilton.

Organiser Peter Sotheron said the turbines, to be erected off the A174 by renewable energy company Airvolution, would be too big.

He said: "The turbines will be taller than the giant offshore turbines in Coatham Bay (Redcar). They will be three times higher than the flare stacks at the Wilton International Site and one-and-a-half times higher than the Cleveland Hills behind them.

"We need to remind the decision-makers that we have not gone away and our concerns have not diminished over the months. Smaller turbines or a less sensitive location would probably have been acceptable. They are so close as to be very much 'in your face' for those who live in the villages."

Airvolution has said it would donate £20,000-a-year to local causes if it is allowed to build the turbines.

More than 200 objections have been received by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. The council's planning committee is expected to decide whether to grant permission for the turbines next month.