A NEW wind farm pressure group has written to Kirklees Council's party leaders.

Valley Wind has asked the politicians if they will support a major increase in the number of turbines in the district.

Slaithwaite-based chairman Steve Slator said: "We are reminding local party leaders just how far Kirklees is from meeting its targets on renewable energy.

"We owe it to our children and grandchildren to do something about climate change by drastically reducing our carbon emissions."

Valley Wind's letter asks the councillors to support a significant new wind farm in the district.

The group claims a 20 megawatt facility could power 13,000 homes in the Colne Valley.

The council is committed to having 10.9 megawatts of renewable energy by 2010, but has currently reached just 500 kilowatts - less than 5% of the target.

Mr Slator said: "Kirklees Council's website has a picture of three wind turbines, so it seems that green issues are fashionable these days.

"But words must be matched by deeds. No wind farms have been built in Kirklees in recent decades."