North West: Wind power - threat or promise?

The answer to Britain's energy needs could be 'blowing in the wind'. The Government has given the go-ahead to an expansion of power generation using wind turbines.

This week Politics Show North West hears from supporters of the new technology, and from residents groups opposed to huge turbines on the local landscape.

The wind farm will be the largest seen in Cumbria

The Barrow-based firm Bay Wind Energy have built turbines at Harlock Hall near Ulverston, Cumbria.

Shareholders in the venture include members of the local rural community.

Complaints about the sight of the tall turbine masts on the hillsides, or about the noise they make, have been limited.

But it's a different story at Edenfield in Lancashire's Rossendale Valley.

Plans by a consortium including United Utilities to build a wind farm on local hills have run into huge opposition.

Almost 100 people turned out at a public meeting this week.

Politics Show North West reports 'live' from the proposed site of the new wind turbines, and hears from both sides in the argument.

Firework furore

Concern about the reckless use of fireworks is widespread.

A series of explosions featuring large fireworks imported from China prompted the Chief Constable of Merseyside, Norman Bettison, to call for a complete ban on the devices.

Letter boxes, telephone kiosks, litter bins, even cars have been destroyed in recent firework attacks in Liverpool and Manchester.

But concern about the use of fireworks is not confined to urban areas.

Trevor Hinxman , Chairman of the Windermere Campaign for Firework Controls, uses the Politics Show soapbox to appeal for restrictions on the use of fireworks.

Trevor accuses local hotels who let off fireworks to celebrate weddings of playing havoc with local wildlife.

Farm animals are miscarrying, and birds are being frightened.

Police race row

Politics Show North West examines the fallout from this week's controversial BBC documentary, The Secret Policeman, exposing racist attitudes among police recruits.

Four officers from Greater Manchester, one from North Wales and one from Cheshire Police have quit the force.

The Politics Show

The Chief Constable of Cheshire, Peter Fahy, tells Politics Show North West that he is determined to purge his force of racism.

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