The government has outlined how the UK can reduce its carbon emissions by increasing the use of renewable energy sources.

Ministers are proposing an extra 7,000 wind turbines to be built both on and off shore over the next 12 years, as well as millions of solar panels on residential properties and a huge uptake of electric cars.

Meanwhile, the British Wind Energy Association has welcomed government plans to make it easier to get planning approval for wind farms.

The Irish Sea has long been identified by wind energy experts as a potentially rich source of wind power.

Spokesman Charles Anglin told Channel 4's News at Noon that the government recognises there is a problem and is putting together a package of measures that will "really make a significant difference".

E.ON is currently building the Robin Rigg offshore windfarm in the Solway Firth, which stretches from St Bees Head in Cumbria to the Mull of Galloway.