A massive forest of wind turbines could be erected off the region's coast in a move which could create 38,000 jobs.

Greenpeace and the Department for Trade and Industry launched a report recommending that millions of pounds be spent erecting up to 13,000 turbines.

A total of 76,000 jobs could be created in the UK in order to hit targets to increase the amount of renewable energy used. The Government wants to increase the amount of energy created by sources other than gas, coal or nuclear fuels from under three per cent to ten per cent by 2010 and 20 per cent by 2020.

Greenpeace, which commissioned the report, launched in Stockton yesterday, said renewable energy could give the region's manufacturing industry its greatest boost in generations.

The offshore turbines would be built in the North Sea down the east coast of England.

Stephen Tindale, Greenpeace executive director, rejected claims that an off-shore wind turbine forest would be unsightly.

He said: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and many people find wind turbines beautiful.

"I take issue that these turbines would ruin the seascape."

Neil Etherington, marketing director of Tees Valley Regeneration, said Teesside was well placed for jobs: "This is a massive prize to strive for. In fact we are already ready talking to potential investors along these lines."

Tom Brennan, regional secretary of the GMB, said the entire region could benefit.

However, plans to create an off-shore windfarm off Redcar have been controversial. Environmentalist David Bellamy, who lives in County Durham, ridiculed the plans. He said the scheme would cost bill-payers an extra £1bn a year and that turbines were notoriously inefficient.

The Greenpeace report, called Offshore Wind - Onshore Jobs, said there should be between 8,000 to 13,000 wind turbines in the UK by 2020. A total of 63,000 jobs could be created in manufacturing and 13,000 in operating the turbines.

For details of wind turbine energy in the North-East visit The Northern Echo's website on: www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/news/windfarms/index.html