THE Warrington-based Environment Agency, United Utilities and the Northwest Development Agency have joined an initiative to look at the future of renewable energy.

Under the umbrella of Sustainability Northwest, the trio have joined a range of agencies in a partnership which aims to promote technologies such as wind power and solar energy.

The organisation has produced a major new report entitled From Power to Prosperity which looks at the benefits the new energy sources would have. As well as the obvious green advantages, there would also be new jobs, investment opportunities, business development and skills and training.

Specific targets for the region identified in the report include four off-shore wind farms, five medium scale on-shore wind farms, a series of 'biomass' plants which take energy from wood-fired power stations, and several thousand solar energy installations.

Sustainability Northwest chief executive Walter Menzies said: "The northwest has underused technical and engineering skills crying out for a challenge like this.

"A new century needs new energy. The north west needs renewables."

And Northwest Development Agency chairman Lord Thomas of Macclesfield said: "Technologies like wind, solar and biomass are heaven sent opportunities for us to develop this market."

Compost tips!

RANGERS at Black Bear Park went composting crazy at the weekend with a two-day green event. The team was sharing money-saving environmental tips by teaching visitors how to create their own compost. And the rangers were also making a community herb garden with the message 'you plant 'em, you use 'em'!

John Morris digs in. DTE70401

**pic to be taken at the weekend**