Go ahead for 139-turbine windfarm

The government hope windfarms will help cut carbon emissions

Plans to site one of the largest offshore windfarms in the UK off the Cumbrian coast have been approved.

The government has given the go-ahead for 139 turbines at Duddon Sands off Walney Island.

Developers Morecambe Wind say the turbines, sited 8.7 miles (14km) out to sea, will power 372,000 homes.

Energy Secretary John Hutton has also approved updated plans for a separate 30-turbine windfarm off the island.

He said: "These windfarms demonstrate our commitment to dramatically increase the amount of energy we generate from renewable sources, helping to cut the UK's carbon emissions and secure our energy supplies."