PRIME Minister Tony Blair stepped in to stop plans to build wind turbines in his home constituency of Sedgefield, County Durham.

So campaigners in Denby Dale fighting against plans for 406ft turbines near their homes thought the PM might throw his weight behind their plight.

Instead Clr Jim Dodds, who contacted Mr Blair about the plans, got what he called a "stock letter" back from the premier's office stating his comments would be considered.

Clr Dodds said: "When we found out Mr Blair had stepped in to stop the turbines in Sedgefield we thought it was a good sign for us.

"I sent him a letter telling him all about the plans for a wind farm in Denby Dale. The proposed turbines are just 350m from the closest house here - in Sedgefield it was a mile.

"But I got a letter back saying simply the comments would be considered. I know Mr Blair is busy but I thought he might at least have made some kind of comment.

"It seems to me that it is OK for people to consider putting turbines in here but they can't do it in his back yard."

After the Sedgefield planning committee threw out the plans for the energy efficient wind farm one anonymous councillor told a national newspaper there were no real reasons to refuse the turbines - he suggested the decision was political.

Clr Dodds believes the plans were refused simply because Mr Blair did not want to upset his home town.

Lynda Lawrence, who lives in the shadow of the test turbine on Poll Hill, said she was disappointed Mr Blair had supported one fight but was seemingly not willing to get involved in hers.

But Mrs Lawrence and pressure group Residents Against Windfarms have vowed to continue their battle against Danish wind farm company Alpha Wind Energy's plans.

"I think we were expecting something a little bit more from Tony Blair. We did not expect him to actually step in and order a stop to it but a kind word would have helped," she said.

"Now I suppose we have to just get on with our fight. There is no definite planning permission yet and none has been applied for.

"Until then there is not much we can do but keep on making our voice heard and hopefully get more and more people behind us."

The 125ft test turbine is being used to collect data on whether a full-sized farm is viable.