National Grid has been told to offer more than just pylons in its consultation.

The Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) advised the energy supplier it did not give enough information on alternatives to pylons during the public consultation.

The quango said: "The approach could be seen as predetermining the choice of routes and clouding the approach to all subsequent consultation."

It said more needs to be done to boost understanding about the environment, costs and the technical details involved in putting power-carrying pipes from Hinkley Point to Avonmouth underground or underwater.

It has offered to host a meeting between National Grid, councils and other parties to get over an impasse in the consultation.

But the commission stressed it remains neutral, so as not to pre-determine the pylon application when it is made.

No Moor Pylons chairman Paul Hipwell welcomed the latest development.

He said: "From the outset, the pylon protest groups have being saying that the community should have been consulted on alternatives to pylons.

"We are delighted that the IPC agree that National Grid has totally failed to explain why an undersea route is not feasible when National Grid use undersea cables elsewhere.

"There are 21st century solutions to transmitting power, not just 1950s pylons. In our opinion, the IPC has given the National Grid a major slap on the wrist and told it to reconsider its tactics."

Tessa Munt, a Mark resident and the Liberal Democrat's prospective Parliamentary candidate, said: "The pretty tough stance taken by Sir Michael Pitt and his legal director in pointing out to National Grid that its consultation has been judged to be flawed by firstly Sedgemoor District Council and then Somerset County Council, is a perfect example of how local people can make a difference if they apply political pressure in an organised fashion.

"I am delighted to have worked with so many committed and knowledgeable individuals to produce such a success so far. My view is that the task now is to make the Government understand that its national policy statement for energy and electricity transmission is wholly inadequate for this century's challenges and I look forward to playing my part in challenging that."

The pressure group is now calling on National Grid to restart consultation.