LEIGH Euro MP Paul Nuttall believes wind farms are a blot on the landscape and a waste of money.

Following newly released figures the UKIP member for Leigh said: "Energy generated by onshore wind farms during the January cold spell averaged just 1%.

"I always knew that blighting the countryside with ugly wind turbines was a waste of money and effort and these figures ably demonstrate that point.

"There are colossal amounts of money being made by those involved in the wind farm industry and they will do all they can to convince people that it is the way forward for our energy needs.

"But I believe it is a con and actually a backward step.

"We all know winters have been getting colder in this country and clearly wind farms are not the answer.

"These figures show that wind power is at its most unreliable when the need for power is at its peak. When the wind does not blow on cold, still days the turbine blades do not turn.

"There needs to be an urgent re-think on meeting our energy needs and meanwhile I will continue to oppose planning applications for wind farms, both onshore and off shore."