A MAST that measures wind speed is being planned by a company in a bid to cut its £1million a year electricity bills.

A mast measuring 60 metres high and supported by galvanised steel wire covering an area of 865 metres has been proposed on behalf of ink and pigment manufacturing company Wolstenholme International Limited, Darwen.

The mast, proposed for the company's land off Lower Eccleshill Road, will measure wind speed and is key to determining whether wind turbines are feasible on the land.

The planning application to Blackburn with Darwen Council is for land in a Protected Open Space and a County Heritage Site but the mast, according to the planning application, would not damage or destroy the site and would not result in the loss of the function of the open space.

John Maynard, safety and regul-arity manager of Wolstenholme, said: "We are cert-ainly looking at the erection of two wind turbines on our site in the future and as part of this we need to get information together to see whether it is suitable. We use a lot of energy on the site and the mast will determine suitability for us.

"With the issue of climate change and carbon emissions, it is potentially a way that we can reduce emissions and was an important consideration when we took the decision."

If approved, the anemometry mast would be a temporary structure.

Nicola Mortimer, of Wind Direct Ltd, Lancaster, which is behind the plan, said: "We were approached by the company to see if it was feasible to have wind turbines on their site. The mast would be up for no more than two years whilst data was collected. Wolstenholme Inter-national are trying to trying to reduce their electricity bills and create sustainable and renewable source of energy."

Mr Maynard said: "If all goes well we are looking at installing two wind turbine masts where most of our electrical energy would come from the two turbines.

Coun Roy Davis said: "I am all for green issues and would not be against a mast, but a 60m mast will be seen for miles so there must be a consultation with residents to find out if it is acceptable in the area."