The turbines would be up to 130 metres high

Northern Offshore Wind Limited want to put up around 30 turbines about 1.5km out from Coatham Sands at Redcar.

It is hoped the turbines will produce enough power to supply around 72,000 homes and will be visible from Seaham to Saltburn.

People from across the Teesside area were invited to have their say over the proposals and to have any questions answered by a panel of experts at a meeting in Hartlepool on Tuesday evening.

Another meeting is due to be held at Redcar Leisure Centre on Wednesday.

I would rather see 300 turbines than one horrible nuclear power station Kath Weagram, resident

Tony Scorer, project manager for Northern Offshore Wind Limited, spoke at the meeting.

He said: "We are currently going through an environmental impact assessment, if we are successful and the wind speed at the site is as good as we think it is, we would look to construct the offshore works in 2005."

Kath Weagram, who lives in Hartlepool, said she supported the plan and believed clean energy was the way forward.

She said: "I think it is absolutely brilliant.

"I would rather see 300 turbines than one horrible nuclear power station.

"When I take my grandson up to Seaton, and I can see these turbines from a distance, I will be filled with pride that we are looking after the north east with clean energy."

But there were also worries the massive project - which could involve three rows of 10 turbines, each 130 metres high - could have an adverse effect on the landscape.

Resident Mary Atkinson said: "It is not about the windmills spoiling the view - they would totally dominate the view."