A controversial 20,000-panel solar park looks set to be built in West Cumbria.

Plans for the park, on land next to St Helens Lane in Flimby, will be debated by Allerdale council's development panel next week.

The scheme has been recommended for approval. 

It received 12 letters of objection and six letters of support. 

Seaton Parish Council objected because, it said, it would have a prominent visual impact. 

Alex Scott, the owner of the land where the farm would be built, said: "I currently farm the land with beef cows and sheep in the summer months and sheep only in the winter.

"The land being near the Solway is very exposed. The fields where the solar panels could be would be grazed by sheep only and the solar panels would give great shelter to the sheep from the wind and rain.

"The 25 areas of solar panels would be fenced and these fields would receive no chemical sprays or artificial fertilisers which would be good for wildlife."

Council officers said: "The proposed solar panels will be relatively low and while they cover a larger site area they can be more effectively screened by existing and proposed hedgerows."

Allerdale's development panel will meet on Tuesday at 1pm at Allerdale House, Workington.