A SCHEME to build up to 13,000 wind turbines off the North-East coast was unveiled this week.

Greenpeace, which commissioned the report, claimed they could create up to 38,000 manufacturing jobs in the region.

But Dr David Bellamy, botanist and environmentalist, dismissed the plan.

"The Government would do better spending £200m on giving every house a long-lasting light bulb which would save twice as much energy produced by the 1,100 turbines currently in Britain," he said.

Greenpeace and the Department of Trade and Industry launched their report in Stockton on Tuesday.

It recommended millions of pounds be spent on building turbines along the region's coast and further down the eastern side of England.

The report said the North-East was ideal as a turbine manufacturing base because of its industrial core and location, and was backed by the GMB and the steelworkers' new Community Union.

In a statement Prime Minister Tony Blair said the Greenpeace plan showed tackling global warming was not only good for the environment but also for jobs.

Neil Etherington, strategic investment and marketing director for Tees Valley Regeneration, which arranged the launch, said talks were already being held with potential investors.

"In terms of wind turbines we know we are in an excellent position in relation to land, people and our track record in the industry," he said.

"A vast amount of jobs could be on offer and Tees Valley Regeneration will do all it can to secure as many as possible for Tees Valley."

The Government wants to increase the amount of energy created by sources other than gas, coal or nuclear fuels from less than 3pc to 10pc by 2010 and 20pc by 2020.

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

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and many people find wind turbines beautiful," he said. "Some of the wind farms would be beyond the 12-mile offshore mark although others would be close to the shore. However I take issue that these turbines would ruin the seascape."

Existing plans to create an offshore windfarm off Redcar have been controversial and Dr Bellamy claimed the Greenpeace scheme would cost bill-payers an extra £1bn a year.

He said turbines were notoriously inefficient. "How will you boil your kettle when the wind stops?" he said, adding that wave energy could create jobs and re-open every shipyard in Britain.

Prof Bellamy questioned Greenpeace's figures and challenged them to a debate.