New wind turbines earmarked to be built off the Kent coast should be painted green to "blend in" with the landscape, councillors have said.

Kent County Council members warned plans by Swedish energy firm Vattenfall to expand Thanet Wind Farm with an additional 34 turbines by 2021 threatened to harm tourism in the area.

The current structures, thought to be around 100 white turbines standing at 115m tall, have been branded a "monstrosity".

Councillors claimed the coastal district is being "degraded" by the structures as they urged Vattenfall to paint any new turbines dark brown or dark green, suggesting it could be added as a condition in future planning applications.

Cllr Sean Holden said: "It would be nice if the wind towers could be painted any colour but white to help the environment and, quite frankly, tourism.

"I would like to see them a different colour. Painting them would mean they would not stick out so unnaturally. The quality of the landscape is really important for tourism.

"If it's degraded then it puts the local tourism economy at risk and they have degraded it.

"Changing the colour should be considered. I also think having a colour which blends in with the landscape should be included as a condition in future planning applications for wind turbines."