SUPPORTERS of a ten-turbine wind farm set for approval in South-West Durham have been having a show of hands.
Volunteers from the Alliance for Clean Energy (Ace) gave an unusual petition to Sedgefield Borough Council.
It featured the hand prints and signatures of 100 Sedgefield residents who back the scheme, in Butterwick, near Sedgefield.
Fred Britton, from Ace, said: "Wind power is a vital part of the solution to climate change. It's cheap, clean, safe and reliable.
"The wind farm will also be great news for our communities - there will be a community fund of up to £625,000 for local projects and an injection of about £7m into the economy."
Council planners backed the proposal, recommending it for approval on Monday.
Developers, energy company E.ON UK, said the 25-megawatt farm would generate enough electricity for about 8,500 homes.
It would be sited near the pre-approved seven turbine Walkway Windfarm, due to be erected by energy company Wind Prospect.
Approval will disappoint campaigners Trimdon Action Against Wind Farms, which said turbines are inefficient and cause subsidence, noise and vibration.
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