FISHGUARD'S community wind turbine has been dismantled and shipped to Northern Ireland after a manufacturing defect has caused it to stop working.

The 45-metre, 225kW turbine was installed in 2015. It is capable of producing 530,000 KWh per year, the equivalent of power for 130 homes.

The turbine is a partnership between local environmental charity Transition Bro Gwaun (TBG) and Parcymorfa Farms, Fishguard.

It is the first community wind turbine project in Wales and is supported by the Welsh Government's Community Renewables Programme.

TBG's £285,000 share of the turbine has been paid for by local investors, promised a 4 percent return on their investments over five years.

The turbine's creators, Endurance, went out of business in 2016, the year after the turbine was installed.

The turbine's problems began in January this year, signalled by an increase in oil pressure. At the beginning of February the problems were ongoing and the turbine had to be shut down. It was dismantled at the beginning of the month.

"It is a sorry saga," said TBG's Tom Latter. "We have been the victims of a manufacturing defect. We are not the only ones, we know of other turbines of the same make and vintage."

Mr Latter explained that the top piece of the turbine, the nacelle, has now been sent to Northern Ireland to be stripped down and for damage assessment.

"It would appear to be manufacturing problem," said Mr Latter. "We hope that it might come back in a couple of months but we don't know how long it will take."

He added that it was expected that TBG's insurance against material damage and loss of earnings would cover the cost of the damage and the loss of income from the turbine.

"The damage isn't so great that it is a complete write off," he said.