The blades on the new turbine are 70 metres in diameter

More than 1,000 households in Swaffham, Norfolk, will be able to use the environmentally friendly electricity when the 85-metre-tall turbine is operational.

Engineers and staff from Ecotricity, the firm behind the turbine scheme, have used three huge cranes to put sections of the turbine's tower together.

A lifting manoeuvre will raise and position the hub and the rotors, which are 70 metres in diameter.

Components have been delivered to the site from all over Europe.

It is the second turbine to be built by the company in Swaffham.

People see wind power as a serious solution to our need for energy Dale Vince, managing director of Ecotricity

Dale Vince, managing director of Ecotricity, said: "It's great to be building another wind turbine.

"This is what it is all about - creating clean energy sources.

"People across the country can choose to switch their supply and power their homes with green electricity at the same price as their local supplier."

When it is complete, the turbine will generate enough power for more than 1,200 homes.

Combined with the existing turbine put up in 1999, it will supply 75% of Swaffham's total home electricity requirements, boosting Norfolk's total wind power by 30%.

Mr Vince said the new turbine, built following demands from local people after the success of the first, would be producing locally generated power within two weeks.

The turbine is due to be completed on Saturday.

The turbine under construction. Photos by Tony Finch