County council leaders have hit back at claims that a major new initiative to safeguard Lancashire's environment is a waste of taxpayers' money.

The council's Cabinet Committee on Climate Change recently approved plans for a £750,000 fund to support practical projects such as wind turbines, carbon capture and micro-renewable energy schemes.

But sceptics have criticised the scheme, claiming the money will only be spent on warning leaflets.

Deputy leader of the county council, Coun Doreen Pollitt, said: "The £750,000 fund is about helping communities here in Lancashire take real action to mitigate the effects of our changing environment and adapt to deal with the consequences.

"It is utterly ridiculous to suggest that the aim of this fund is simply to pay for distributing leaflets to raise awareness of climate change."

Coun Pollitt claims that the money is being used to support projects that help to reduce Lancashire's carbon footprint such as mini wind turbines and solar panels on community buildings.

She added: "Other projects could include carbon capture through tree planting or peat bog restoration or energy efficiency measures such as paying for buildings to be better insulated."

The council claim that the fund is being distributed to communities through the Lancashire Local meetings made up of county and district councils.

Coun Pollitt added: "Our weather and environment is changing, and the evidence is becoming increasingly clear.

"It is very easy for people to be cynical when local government takes steps to deal with what is of course a global issue.

"And it is easy to score points by peddling nonsense suggesting we have budgeted £750,000 simply to appear worthy by raising awareness' of a problem of which the vast majority of people are obviously already well aware.

"But if we as a county are to protect our way of life and surroundings we need to take action at a local level and change our behaviour on an individual level.

"There is a real appetite amongst the people of Lancashire to rise to the challenge.

"This is proven by the fact that we have been approached by a number of community groups which have already heard about the new fund through word-of-mouth alone."

Groups will be invited to apply for funds through their local county councillors after October.