A landmark shipment of giant wind-turbine blades and components has been exported from Southampton Docks to Australia.

A total of 69 aerodynamic blades, measuring more than 31 metres in length and weighing seven tonnes each, were loaded on the m.v. Aleksandrov bound for Adelaide.

Once in place the blades will provide enough renewable green electricity to power 23,000 homes.

The shipment of blades was the largest of its type handled by the port of Southampton, which is the biggest hub for this cargo in the UK.

Andrew Kent, the city's port director, said: "Shipping is an environmentally sustainable form of transport and it is fitting that Southampton should play a part in the development of wind farms around the world.''

Manufactured by NEG Micon Rotors, one of the world's largest producers of wind turbines, the blades and components are produced at the company's dedicated UK manufacturing plant on the Isle of Wight and then barged across to Southampton for shipment.

Julian Brown, managing director of NEG Micon Rotors, said: "The size of this shipment is a milestone event in the company's growth, serving, as we now are, global markets.

"Our close co-operation with associated British Ports has enabled us to export blades all over the world and established the Isle of Wight as the centre for the country's renewables industry.''

The wind turbines are due to arrive in Australia just before Christmas and will be used to build the Starfish Hill Wind Farm, south of Adelaide.