Teletubbies turn to wind power

A controversial windfarm in the Welsh countryside has brought in a secret weapon - The Teletubbies.

BBC chiefs have given permission for the children's favourites to be used as the face of a scheme to provide electricity for more than 1,500 homes in west Wales.

Tinky-Winky, Laa-Laa, Dipsy and Po stand in front of a spinning windmill in their TV shows.

And now the company behind the scheme hope their image will help win over opponents against the windfarm.

Children know that the programme often features windmills in the background

Awel Aman Tawe, a non-profit making company developing the scheme, said the Teletubbies brainwave came when it took children to visit another windfarm.

Project spokesman Dan McCallum said: "It put a smile on everyone's face when they came on our coach visit to see the wind farm.

"As they approached the windfarm, all the children looked out of the window and shouted: "Look it's the Teletubbies'."

"They all know that the programme often features windmills in the background."

'Blot on landscape'

Postcards of the Teletubbies are being handed out at displays and exhibitions promoting the project at Mynydd Uchaf near at Tairgwaith, near Ammanford.

Opponents fear the four giant turbines will be a blot on the country landscape.

The company claims the scheme would supply electricity to some 1,500 homes at the top end of the Amman and Swansea Valleys - and also create up to 50 jobs.

The Department of Trade and Industry has committed nearly £65,000 to help AAT carry out an in-depth consultation with residents.

Mr McCallum added: "The children seemed less bothered about the visual impact of wind turbines than some adults - the Teletubbies may have familiarised them with the look of them.

"We will be giving a Teletubbies postcard to each child as a souvenir of their visit and also giving them out at displays and other events."