WIND farms are out and nuclear is back, according to voters in a Mercury poll about plans for a third power station at Hinkley Point.

Last month, Prime Minister Tony Blair hinted at a return to favour for nuclear power at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) conference - claiming Britain has to face facts about reducing carbon emissions.

Horrified anti-nuclear groups immediately expressed grave concern at the prospect of another station on the West Somerset coast and others pointed towards the efficiency of wind power compared to another station.

In response, The Mercury launched a poll and hundreds of readers visited </>www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk">www.bridg watermercury.co.uk</> to cast their vote.

An overwhelming 83% agreed with the Prime Minister's statement that nuclear power is firmly back on the agenda.

But Stop Hinkley campaigner Jim Duffy said he wasn't surprised by The Mercury's results and believes green options including wind farms are the way forward.

He said: "The results of the on-line poll are not really surprising because Hinkley sponsors the town in every way.

"Every organisation, school or club whichneeds money from the industry is given it.

"The results are different to our own research carried out in Burnham where 83% of people said they were against nuclear power and in Taunton it was nearly everyone who said they were against it."

A phone poll conducted by The Mercury in 2004 showed 58% of readers backing proposals for a wind farm at West Hinkley - a decision which is yet to go to the planning inspectorate.

The Mercury runs on-line polls every week to give readers the chance to have their say about issues affecting them.

Last week, The Mercury reported Bridgwater is the first town to join a trade union campaign to restrict Sunday opening hours to no longer than six hours to give shop workers family time.