A site in the Westcountry has been shortlisted to become an environmentally-friendly "eco-town".

Imerys in Cornwall is one of 15 sites in the UK that has made the government shortlist.

Others include Bordon, Coltishall, Curborough, Elsenham, Pennbury, Rossington, Rushcliffe and Weston Otmoor.

The 10 sites for the new "eco-towns" will be finalised in the next six months.

"Shortlisted locations now face further challenges including public consultation and a detailed Sustainability Appraisal which will assess the merits and challenges for each one," the Department of Communities and Local Government said in a press release.

The final schemes being promoted will have to reach zero carbon standards by promoting leading edge green technologies, provide high levels of affordable housing, demonstrate how they will deliver key infrastructure such as good public transport, schools and health facilities and safeguard local wildlife.

Eco-towns will be the first new towns since the 1960s and will attempt to tackle the combined challenges of climate change, the need for more sustainable living and a real shortage of housing for families and first-time buyers.

The Government has said it wants to build five "eco-towns" by 2016 and up to 10 by 2020 as part of ambitious plans to build 3 million homes by 2020.

Any development at Imerys China Clay Community, a former china clay workings near St Austell, would provide up to 5,000 homes.

The scheme could also include 1,500 affordable homes, in an area of extreme affordability pressure.