Three farmers from north Wales have been granted planning permission to erect wind turbines on farmland.

It is the first time that farmers have joined forces and formed a company to manage their own windfarm.

The project near Llanrwst has been criticised by some environmentalists, but the farmers claim that branching out is necessary.

The power produced will be used by local villages and three people from the area are to be employed on the project.

'Hard times'

"We think it's important to have a means of diversification in these hard times," said farmer Rheinallt Williams.

"We think it's brilliant that it's local ownership and local people producing local power - and green power at that."

Friends of the Earth Cymru have dubbed the granting of planning permission "a positive step" towards boosting the economy of upland Wales.

Neil Crumpton, FOE Cymru spokesman said renewable energy schemes - such as wind energy - were a potentially secure source of income for upland farmers faced with agricultural decline.