DEVELOPERS behind controversial plans for a wind farm gave residents a virtual glimpse of what the project would look like.

More than 500 people visited exhibitions of the plans for a six-turbine wind farm on Reaps Moss, Britannia, after Coronation Power, the London-based company behind the proposals, set up a display at Bacup Leisure Hall.

Visitors were able to watch a computer-generated virtual reality display of the site, see the proposed location of the wind turbines and talk with members of the Coronation team.

Staff from the company also spoke of what they see as the potential economic and environmental benefits to the area of the wind farm.

Charley Rattan, Coronation Power's commun-ity relations manager, said: "We were delighted with the interest shown in each of the exhibitions and we were asked a lot of questions.

"It was useful to hear what people had to say about our plans - both for and against, with regard to the immediate area, wind farm generation and the broader issues of climate change and global warming.

"Those who were unable to attend the exhibition can write to us or visit our website www.coronationpower.com for information."

But despite the exhibition, Bacup's Coun Bill Challinor still labelled the possible introduction of a wind farm a "devastating blow" for the area.

He said he had not visited the exhibition, fearing that he could be blocked from having his say in any future committee debate.

He said councillors should not take part unless accompanied by a council officer, or they could be seen as being unduly influenced.

Coronation Power also has plans for wind farms on Todmorden Moor and Crooks Hill, near Wardle. The company will be submitting planning applications to build the three wind farms to Rossendale, Calderdale and Rochdale Councils.