SURVEY SHOWS MASSIVE SUPPORT FOR HOME RENEWABLE ENERGY

A survey conducted by Fiona Hall has shattered the myth that people are not interested in the environment.

The survey, conducted by post and phone, collected answers from over a thousand people.

The majority of the respondents agreed that protection of the environment was as important an issue as education, the health service and crime.

There was massive support - an astonishing 88% - for the proposal that planning laws should be changed to encourage home renewable energy from solar panels, small wind turbines and solar water heating.

At the same time, the North East remains very firmly set against nuclear power. 65% of respondents agreed that "We should not build more nuclear power stations while the problem of what to do with nuclear waste remains.

We should concentrate instead on developing renewable energy."

Commenting, European Energy spokesperson Fiona Hall said:

"These results show that most people area now acutely aware of the seriousness of climate change and the need for immediate action.

"Only the Liberal Democrats have in place the practical policies on the environment that people are looking for."