A campaign group was established two years ago to fight the plan

Around 34 turbines would be sited on moorland between Clydach and Ammanford if the Mynydd y Gwair windfarm is given the go ahead.

Campaigners claim npower renewables' proposal would scar the countryside and cause noise and disruption to locals.

But the company said the brochure and a series of public exhibitions next week were aimed at allaying people's fears.

People will lose their cherished landscape Glyn Morgan, campaigner

The campaign group Save Our Common Mountain Environment (SOCME) was set up two years ago when speculation of a development in the area began.

But chairman Glyn Morgan said details had been scarce until the brochure started dropping through letter boxes.

"It was expected that they would be pushing hard with this straight after the election and its clear they are spending a lot of money," he said.

"These will be visible from a very wide area - from Mynydd y Gwair you can see across to Preseli, the Brecon Beacons and right up the valley to Maesteg.

"People in the locality will lose their cherished landscape and a quiet place for leisure and relaxation."

WINDFARM EXHIBITIONS Felindre Village Hall, 20 May, 1200-2000BST Swansea RFC, 21 May, 1200-1700BST Pontardawe leisure centre, 22 May, 1100-1500BST

But npower has asked people to keep an open mind over its plans and is hoping many turn out to its exhibitions next weekend.

The company said the 650 hectare site, owned by the Somerset Trust, would make a substantial contribution to non-fossil fuel energy generation in south Wales.

"Mynydd y Gwair Wind Farm would generate enough clean electricity each year to supply the average needs of about 28,000 homes" it said.

It added that this was greater than the number of houses in the surrounding areas of Pontardawe, Pontarddulais, Clydach, Glanaman and Ammanford.

It also said the site lies within one of the areas identified by the Welsh Assembly Government as most suitable for the strategic placing of large scale windfarms.

If given the go ahead, it is unlikely any of the turbines, which would have a life-span of between 20 and 25 years, would be operating before 2007.