A HAMPSHIRE MP is racing against Tory leader David Cameron to become the first MP in England to put a wind turbine on his roof.

Alan Whitehead, Labour MP for Southampton Test, plans to install a miniature turbine on his house, in the Portswood area of the city, by the summer.

By doing so he hopes to beat the Leader of the Opposition, who has shown an interest in using the green technology in his west London home.

Mr Whitehead, who already uses a solar-powered water heater, said the domestic turbine would help reduce his electricity bills as well as his carbon emissions.

He said: "It should save about 25 per cent of my electricity costs every year as well as providing me with electricity from entirely renewable sources."

The MP, who chairs a parliamentary group on renewable and sustainable energy, said he hoped more Hampshire residents would adopt the technology as it became cheaper.

The Windsave generator Mr Whitehead has his eye on costs about £1,500. He would not need planning permission from Southampton City Council to install it.

He said: "Should these devices become widespread there would be enormous savings in carbon and electricity costs across the country."

Mr Whitehead is supporting a parliamentary Bill to make it easier for individuals to install small wind turbines and other renewable technology on their homes.

The Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill will receive its Third Reading in the House of Commons on May 12.

Mr Whitehead said there was scope for the UK - the windiest place in Europe - to become a major user of wind power.

He said: "The potential for large scale on-shore and off-shore wind turbines is enormous."

But the technology will need more investment if it is to catch on, according to new research published on Wednesday.

A report by the British Wind Energy Association said the fledgling off-shore wind industry was at a "critical stage" and economic and environmental opportunities could be lost without further help from government.

Last week ministers admitted the UK was unlikely to achieve its target of cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent from 1990 levels by 2010. The government's review of the UK's energy needs, due to be published later this year, is expected to signal further investment in nuclear technology.