Page last updated at 14:34 GMT, Friday, 24 July 2009 15:34 UK

Gull killer turbines are removed

Wind turbines at National Marine Aquarium
The 15m high turbines were supposed to provide 6kW of electricity

An aquarium in Devon has taken down two wind turbines after seagulls were killed when they collided with the blades.

The 15m (50ft) high 6kW turbines at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth were installed in 2006 for a £3.6m sustainable energies project.

But the Hoe-based attraction has taken them down after several birds died, it said.

The aquarium also said they had not produced as much electricity as hoped.

Caroline Johnson, of the aquarium, said: "The major problems included where they were positioned.

"The eddying effect of the wind meant they weren't producing as much energy as they potentially could have.

"The loss of life of seagulls flying into the turbines was also a problem and, following a gale, the turbines were damaged."

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