THE Open Spaces Society has welcomed news that Western Power Distribution has won consent to put four kilometres of ugly electricity cables underground.

The cables stretch across Walkhampton Common and have been an eyesore for decades.

Because the land is common land, WPD needed the consent of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to do the work.

Kate Ashbrook, the society's general secretary: 'We commend Western Power for this initiative, and look forward to seeing this breathtaking landscape free at last of ugly poles and cables.'