Villagers fear the wind farm may destroy the look of the landscape

United Utilities wants to build eight wind turbines at Lamonby, near Penrith.

The MP for Penrith and the Border David Maclean is due to join people from Lamonby outside the United Utilities Annual General Meeting in Manchester on Wednesday.

They are protesting against the 330-feet-high turbines which could be built as close as 550 yards from some houses.

There are concerns the turbines will destroy the landscape and could devalue property prices.

'Positive' image

Ruth Walsh, who chairs the action group Communities Opposed to Lamonby Turbines, said: "We want to raise this issue with shareholders and directors going into the meeting.

"Some of our members are also shareholders in United Utilities, they deliberately bought shares so they could go to the AGM, and we are hoping they will be able to raise some questions inside.

"United Utilities talk about being a socially responsible company and have a positive image within the community.

"We would say their image in our community is not very positive at the moment and building eight 330 feet wind turbines, 500 metres from peoples' homes is not very socially responsible."

United Utilities already has planning permission for a weather mast to check if the area is suitable for turbines.

The company added that there are no firm plans for a wind farm yet and said the public would be fully consulted over any proposals.