GIANT turbines will tower over the County Durham sky-line as part of a major wind power project in the next few weeks.

Wind farm developer Powergen Renewables is erecting seven 100-metre tall turbines at three rural sites in County Durham and neighbouring Hartlepool, having gone through the planning process with the relevant councils.

The 2.75 mega-watt (MW) turbines 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, which should be operating early next year, will stand 60 metres, carrying 40-metre long blades.

Two will be erected at Holmside Hall Farm, between Stanley and Lanchester, and two at Crowshouse Moor, south of Harehill Farm, near Ludworth, east of Durham.

A further three will go up at High Volts Farm, between Sheraton and Hart, on the Hartlepool side of the boundary with County Durham.

Although capable of operating at 2.75MW, three will be down-rated to 2.325MW for commercial and regulatory reasons.

Project developer Martin Roberts said: "These turbines will be capable of supplying clean, green electricity to 4,500 local homes from the power of the wind alone.

"They will also displace 9,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year."

Powergen spokeswoman Janet Morrow said at 100-metres from base to blade tip, the turbines will be roughly the height of Big Ben.

"They have been designed to have as little impact on the environment as possible and will be painted in muted colours to blend in with the background.

"We expect them to arrive on site next month and then we have to put in foundations, etc, which takes time.

"Hopefully they will be up and running sometime early next year," she added.

In 1994 Powergen replaced the former Central Electricity Generating Board.

Its renewables wing is one of the country's leading wind farm owner-operators with 17 other sites across the country.

They produce enough power for the domestic needs of a town the size of Blackpool.