WIND FARMS are the way of the future.

The Government now plans a great increase in off-shore wind farms, which by 2015 will make Britain's offshore-wind industry twice the size of that of any other nation in the world, and by 2020 will provide enough electricity for every house in the UK.

This was announced on December 10 by the Secretary of State for Business, John Hutton.

He had previously resisted wind farms, claiming that they would interfere with plans to build more nuclear power stations; indeed he had argued against Britain's trying to meet its emission-reduction targets.

He was overruled by the Prime Minister; Gordon Brown.

A map accompanying the breaking of this news, in The Independent of December 9, shows a planned wind farm apparently near Axminster.

Lyme Regis should take steps toward having one on the top of its plateau, perhaps in Strawberry Field.

Unlike any other form of development, it would enhance the town's attraction.

These modern windmills are graceful, minimal machines.

Rising on the skyline, they would emphasise, rather than destroying, the green hinterland, and they would announce Lyme as a forward-looking community.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the power in our own houses could come from our own wind farm!

Guy Ottewell
Sherborne Lane, Lyme Regis