TRAFFIC was brought to a standstill when huge lorries carrying parts for a wind turbine took to the roads.

Motorists on the Hart bypass, just outside Hart Village, Hartlepool, were caught in the delays as turbine arms for the farm, which is to be located on land between Hart, Naisberry and Elwick, were carried on trailers.

The two-vehicle convoy caused hold-ups for traffic at the Hart roundabout, where the painstaking process of turning the trailers and their huge loads was carried out, with police motorcyclists acting as an escort.

Wind farm developer Powergen Renewables is behind the plans for the farm.

As well as Hartlepool, it also proposes to build a series of other 2.75 mega-watt turbines in the area.

They will be the biggest and most powerful mounted to date in the UK mainland as part of a £120m programme to boost renewable energy production.

Each tower had 120ft blades, and others will be positioned on land at Shotton Colliery and Thornley.