THE first two of six wind farm turbines, which are nearly four times taller than the Angel of the North, have been hoisted into place on an isolated fell in the North-East.

Components arrived to get building under way at two developments on the same stretch of road between Tow Law and Cornsay Colliery, in County Durham.

National Wind Power's three turbines at Tow Law, and an adjacent Northern Electric site at High Hedley Hope, are being built by Amec Wind.

Two cranes lifted the first 233ft turbines into place at Tow Law over the weekend, with the remaining four being in place by early December.

Each one consists of two tower sections, topped with a casing housing the gearbox and generator, and a 50m blade, which spins up to 23 times a minute.

Despite concerns at the planning stages about the giant towers scarring the view from as far north as Stanley and Consett and the effect on wildlife and television reception, the chairwoman of Tow Law Town Council claims that now the structures are up, they have been accepted.

Councillor Jenny Flynn, said: "I can see them out of my back garden and I think they look quite elegant. I expected them to be bigger than they are, but they do look statuesque.

"I have spoken to quite a few people about them and most of the comments have been positive, people think they fit in quite well."

The wind turbines will generate enough clean energy to supply 3,000 homes.

John Ainslie, development manager, said: "It will also offset about 10,000 tonnes of carbon monoxide every year that would otherwise have been released by fossil fuel power stations."

The companies plan to have a public open day in the spring.