An energy firm has withdrawn its plans for a wind farm on the edge of Aspatria. 

Earlier this year, energy firm Airvolution earmarked an area of farmland to the west of the town as the site where it wanted to erect three turbines.

The 360ft turbines – taller than Big Ben – would have been built on land across White Lees Farm, Aigle Gill Farm and West Farm.

The firm said they would power 4,200 homes. 

Almost immediately, the proposals were met with opposition from locals, who were angered by the prospect of huge turbines spoiling the countryside.

Some were also outraged by the prospect of yet more turbines being built in an area that is already heavily populated with them.

During a consultation before the application was submitted, 91 per cent of those who attended told the company they would be against the plans.

Airvolution Energy wrote to the council last week to pull out of the application.

Tom Walker, the firm's development manager, said: "The planning application has been withdrawn due to significant changes in national planning policy for onshore wind turbines."

Alongside local residents, a number of authorities raised concerns including the Solway Coast AONB, the Lake District National Park and Cumbria County Council, Aspatria Town Council and Bothel and Threapland, Bromfield, Boltons, Westnewton and Allonby parish councils.