Over the next few months, the structures will be put up off the coast of Walney Island, Barrow.

The project is a partnership between Centrica Energy, parent company of British Gas, and Danish firm Dong and will generate power for 65,0000 homes.

The windfarm will be seven kilometres off the coast and is expected to be up and running early next year.

Gideon Fireman, spokesman for Centrica, said: "What the project means is that 65,000 British Gas customers will receive clean, green electricity.

"It's our first big offshore, renewable energy project which is an emerging new industry for the UK and I think it is very exciting for Cumbria."