a wind farm on moors above Bacup would be a "devastating blow" for the area, a leading councillor says.

Developers want to build six turbines at land at Hogshead Law Hill, Reaps Moss, Britannia and are set to start a widespread consultation.

But deputy leader of Rossendale Council Bill Challinor said: "I would be devastated if there was to be a wind farm here. It would be a real blow to the community."

The plans to bring clean energy to thousands of homes in the borough are to be put to the public vote in an exhibition set to tour the Valley.

Coronation Power, a London company developing wind energy projects in the UK, will be arranging the exhibition of its proposals and seeking meetings with local councillors to discuss how Bacup and the surrounding area can directly benefit from the wind farm. Dates and locations of the public exhibitions will be confirmed by the end of the month.

But Coun Challinor today spoke out against the plans and said he would oppose the scheme.

The Greensclough ward councillor said: "We would all like to see greener ways producing energy but I am sure the only reason they want to put them in places like this is because of the industrial past and the fact that infrastructure is already in place makes it easy for them to connect to the national grid."

The company was granted planning permission by Rossendale Council last month for the temporary erection of an anemometer or test mast. Company bosses are now to carry out tests to decide whether the wind in Bacup is strong enough to justify building a small wind farm of around six turbines.

The 60-metre wing speed monitoring mast, which will be an aluminium tower fixed to the ground by guyed cables, will be installed for around 12 months.

Paul Taylor, Coronation Power's community relations manager, said: "A comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment of the land, looking at a range of issues such as bird movements, the ecology of the land, the visual impact and noise is being carried out by Coronation Power."

The proposed wind farm would have a potential capacity to power 12,000 homes, about 44% of Rossendale.