RESIDENTS in Arley are leading the fight to prevent a new power line being put up across the Cheshire countryside.

Manweb is looking to put up the 132kV line from Lostock to Carrington, describing it as 'essential' to meet increased demand for electricity.

But Charles Foster, from the Arley Hall estate, said many residents in the area were angry about the idea of the countryside being scarred.

He said: "What we are all worried about is the prospect of more wires being put through what's left of the undamaged countryside in north Cheshire.

"The problem for Manweb is that nobody wants new power lines put up close to their homes so they look to put them through the most unpopulated areas."

But Charles said many people came to areas like Arley because of their natural beauty and said they could be put off if power lines were put up.

He said: "We are trying to press them to use a line that is already up, running from Runcorn through to Hartford."

A spokesman for Manweb said: "As part of the consultation process around building the new wood pole, 132kV, line from Lostock to Carrington, the DTI asked us to publish additional information in response to questions raised by councils and local residents in the area.

"This information has now been published and is available for the public to view at local libraries and council offices. We have also produced a new leaflet about the information, which we will be distributing to all local residents who have expressed interest in the project up to now.

"This line is essential because an increasing demand for electricity in the areas of Knutsford, Hartford, Northwich, Elworth and Middlewich means that, in some circumstances, the network is becoming overloaded, a situation which if it is allowed to continue could result in extensive power cuts to the 60,000 customers in those areas."

rbabington@guardiangrp.co.uk