GREEN campaigners have welcomed the successful testing of a radar system which could resolve safety concerns over installing wind turbines near airports.

The technology was tested at a wind farm near Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire last week which proved its ability to detect the difference between aircraft and the movement of turbine blades, which it can block out on air traffic control screens.

Existing systems are unable to identify each turbine with the same level of accuracy and airports are concerned about the crowded screens produced by having a wind farm close by.

Holographic radar developer Aveillant said that if further tests are successful the new system could be operating commercially by the end of the year.

Lang Banks, director of WWF Scotland, said: "Un-blocking the many wind-farm schemes currently held up by concerns about radars and airports would be a major boost to Scotland's plans to generate all its electricity from pollution-free sources."

Mr Banks added: "Concerns by airport operators are not the only thing holding back Scotland's renewable ambitions. We hope the Ministry of Defence are paying close attention to these tests, as their almost blanket opposition to wind turbine applications is seriously hindering the deployment of renewables."