The farmer behind the controversial wind turbines planned for a former RAF base near Swindon wants them to be rainbow coloured.

Adam Twine, 42, thinks a dash of colour on the landscape near Watchfield would cheer up the often dull and drizzly skies.

The artist's impression above shows how the energy-saving landmark could look.

But councillors of the Vale of White Horse District Council clearly do not share Mr Twine's vibrant idea.

They recommended that the five turbines planned for Westmill Farm are painted a pale grey colour.

Mr Twine, who lives in Coleshill and runs the organic farm at Westmill, said: "I favour the shimmering rainbow effect that an iridescent finish would produce. It's like you see on some road signs.

"I think councillors have missed a creative opportunity, but I can understand why they have opted for grey. It's the safer option."

Most wind turbines in the UK are painted grey, partly to help them fit in with the UK's grey skies.

Other suggestions made by disgruntled local residents at an exhibition last year included camouflage patterns, Day-Glo orange and invisible ink.

Mr Twine won planning permission for five turbines with 85ft blades in 1999. The towers will be 164ft (50m) tall about the height of Nelson's Column.

His application to extend the length of the blades by 16ft was narrowly rejected at a planning meeting of the Vale of White Horse District Council in October.

Mr Twine said: "As climate change gets worse people will realise we have to bite this bullet, address our dependence on fossil fuels and look at the wider picture, rather than the view from the back window.

"At the moment people don't care about climate change until they get flooded out of their house.

"Climate change is happening and it will affect everyone."

The £3.5m wind farm, located 100 metres outside the Swindon borough boundary, will create about 8.8 gigawatt hours per year enough energy to power 2,500 homes.

Construction is due to start this summer.

aemery@newswilts.co.uk