PLANS to build a windfarm on the Wiltshire Oxfordshire border have been given a boost by the Co-op.

Oxford, Swindon and Gloucester Co-op, which has several stores in Swindon, has pledged £100,000 to the Westmill Hill wind farm project in Watchfield, which has been set up by farmer Adam Twine.

The society's board of directors agreed the investment because the wind farm is a co-operative enterprise owned and run by local residents. The OS&G Co-op's head of corporate development Neil Homer said: "The Westmill Wind Farm project will supply renewable energy to around 2,500 local homes.

"Our investment shows our commitment to supporting community ownership and renewable energy projects.

"We hope this will encourage others in our area to bring forward projects for all types of renewable energy, not just wind farms."

Mr Homer said the Co-op had committed itself to increasing its use of renewable energy in years to come.

He said: "While we understand that not everyone likes wind farms, we believe they play an important role in meeting our future energy needs and combating climate change."