OPPONENTS of a scheme to create a massive wind farm off the West Wirral coast, hammered home their concerns at a public exhibition last weekend.

Energy giant Npower Renewables outlined its plans for 200 huge turbines - each around 160m in height - 12 miles off Hoylake in Liverpool Bay.

West Wirral residents, councillors and national campaigners, including naturalist Prof David Bellamy, have expressed fears that the venture would destroy wildlife and ruins the views out to sea for thousands of local people and visitors.

The company claims that the 80-square mile Gwynt y Mopr wind farm would generate 750 megawatts - enough clean electricity every year to meet the electricity needs of around 50,000 homes.

But West Wirral Cllr Jeff Green accused Npower representatives of being vague at the King's Gap Hotel exhibition in Hoylake on Sunday. He said: "They indicated that current proposals would involved around 200 turbines of about 160m in height, though they further claimed that there were likely to be adjustments in line with technological changes. People found this vagueness to be unsatisfactory."

Cllr Green said the wind farm initiative had stirred strong feelings among people, over its visual impact and its threat to birds and marine life.

He commented: "If you are standing on the coastline all you will see will be a forest of whirling metal."

He said people were also critical that a final decision will rest with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Welsh Assembly - Wirral council would only be involved as consultees.

Georgia Markham, project consent manager for Npower said the project was at an early stage and it would be next year before a formal application was made.