MEET Windy Miller and Turby, two of Selby district's newest - and tallest - residents.

These giant wind turbines have been given these highly appropriate names following a competition run by Yorkshire Water for local schoolchildren.

The structures, extending 90 metres into the sky from base to highest tip, will provide the electricity to power the utility company's Loftsome Bridge water treatment works, near Hemingbrough.

More than 200 people took part in an online poll to name the latest landmarks, and today they will be officially opened by the Minister of State for the Environment, Phil Woolas, and children from Howden Junior School.

Nine-year-olds Samantha Sully and Alexander Wedlock, who are Year Five pupils at the school, came up with the names for the turbines.

They also designed posters which have been made into large signs, which will become permanent fixtures at the water works.

Alexander said: "We have been learning about renewable energy in our lessons at school and I am looking forward to seeing a real life wind turbine, especially because I have been able to choose its name."

Samantha agreed, saying: "I think wind turbines are a great way to generate electricity and help the environment.

"I am excited that the wind turbine will be called the name I thought of - Windy Miller."

Richard Flint, director of Yorkshire Water, said: "Involving the local community in the work we are doing at our treatment works is very important to us, and it's great that the names and signs will be a lasting legacy for the site.

"This project has helped bring the turbines to life for local children and we hope that they have been able to use it as an opportunity to learn more about renewable energy."

He said local residents and councillors had been invited to Loftsome Bridge today (fri) to view the turbines and see firsthand the benefits of a recent £15.7 million investment to improve water quality.

By using wind power to help provide the plant with electricity, Yorkshire Water hopes to reduce its carbon footprint by about 2,300 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year - the equivalent of taking more than 40 per cent of its fleet of vans and tankers off the road.

Mr Flint said the turbines would provide a third of the water treatment plant's electricity needs on an average day - and all of it on a windy day.