A windfarm developer is offering �1m to a Cumbrian community if it is allowed to build 60 turbines in the Solway Firth.

TXU Energy says the �200m project will create 100 jobs in the Maryport area.

But environmentalists and some parish councils have objected to the plan, which would see the 430ft turbines built on a sandbank 9.5km off the Cumbrian coast at Robin Rigg.

Now TXU has offered �1m to the surrounding community to be spent on local community projects.

The turbines will be almost 300ft high

A TXU spokesman said the company wanted to talk to local people to find out how they would like the money spent.

Paul Henry from TXU said: "We hope this gesture will help our relationship with the local community.

"It's not going to convince everybody and we know some people will still object to the proposal.

"But what we don't want people to say is that we have not engaged with local people."

The windfarm, which would be one of the biggest in Britain, would supply enough energy to power 75% of Cumbrian households.

Brian Irving, of the Solway Rural Initiative, said: "The Solway Firth is one of the last unspoiled estuaries in the United Kingdom. It is something we just can't lose."

A final decision on the project will be taken by the Scottish Executive.