North Somerset MP Liam Fox has raised hopes that funding might be found to prevent giant pylons from blighting the North Somerset landscape. Dr Fox is backing campaigners who are fighting against the 160ft pylons.

The Defence Secretary said he is now exploring ways of securing the funding, which would "mitigate the effect of the pylons" – possibly by running them underground.

The National Grid, which wants to run the 400,000 volt electricity cables from a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in Somerset to Avonmouth, has ruled out running them underground or on the seabed due to the cost involved.

But Dr Fox, who was visiting defence firm MBDA at Filton yesterday, said: "We know the option they prefer will be the one which gives maximum return for their shareholders. My argument is that the cost cannot only be measured in the short-term – it must also take into account the long-term consequences."