The breakwater has protected the town from flooding since 1876

Stena Line which owns the port have said they are considering building up to five wind turbines just outside the port to finance the work.

The 19th Century breakwater - one of the longest in the UK - is made of rubble but 50,000 tonnes of it is being washed away each year by the sea.

Opponents have said the turbines would be too noisy and too close to the town.

A feasibility study has been commissioned by Stena.

These are just too close to the shore, and there could be problems with noise Trefor Lloyd Hughes, councillor

"The breakwater is not in immediate jeopardy, but unless we do something in the next few years, there is a possibility of a serious breach," said port manager Wyn Parry.

Stena said building the turbines would help to strengthen the breakwater,

HOLYHEAD BREAKWATER It was completed in 1876 after 28 years The cost at 1870s prices was �1.2m It used 7m tonnes of rock 40 workers died during the building work

Town councillor John Chorlton said he was open-minded about the plans, but the wind turbines could become a tourist attraction in themselves.

"No doubt people will be against it, and it is right to protect the beauty of the area but people need to live here, and this would attract tourists," he said.

Councillor Trefor Lloyd Hughes said if the breakwater was breached areas of Holyhead could be flooded.

But, he added, even so the plans for the turbines so close to the shore was too much.

"These are just too close to the shore, and there could be problems with noise," he said.