A MAJOR exhibition and seminar will turn the spotlight on plans to grow Wirral's wind farm industry.

The New Brighton event is aimed at businesses hoping to benefit from a predicted offshore bonanza.

It follows on from a report in November by The Mersey Partnership, which claimed Wirral was poised to make major economic gains from a potential £15bn windfarm boom in the Irish Sea.

The report said thousands of new jobs are in prospect from a venture to create the west coast's major hub in the development of the UK's offshore wind industry.

The exhibition has been organised by Envirolink Northwest, whose purpose is to grow the region's low-carbon and environmental services sector.

It is targeted at current and potential supply chain companies and will give them an insight into industry requirements and procedures.

Birkenhead shipbuilder Cammell Laird already has been identified as playing an important part in the industry. A proposed new triple berth at Laird's is already in the pipline for ships installing and maintaining wind farms.

The company's development manager said in November: "We can become west coast UK's Abderdeen for the offshore wind industry."

However, expansion of the offshore industry is not without its critics.

Wirral UKIP Euro MP Paul Nuttal said: “Sure, businesses will make money out of wind farms but it is the public who will end up out of pocket when energy prices rise."

The MEP is set against any more turbines being introduced off the coast of Wirral: “The view from the peninsula has always been fantastic but has already been marred by ugly wind turbines and more will just add to this environmental vandalism."

The 'Northwest and North Wales offshore wind supply chain event' will feature workshops, seminars and exhibitions free of charge for up to 500 delegates.

It will be held next Tuesday, February 8, from 8.30am to 5pm, at the Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

To register for the event or for more information, click the first link below.