A wind turbine rotor blade, comprising: a first shell component, and a second shell component, said shell components joined together at a trailing edge of said blade, each of said shell components further comprising a forward edge (20,26); at least one leading edge segment joined to said shell components and aligned along a longitudinal length of said blade, said at least one leading edge segment defining a continuous leading edge of said blade; said at least one leading edge segment comprising an arcuate cross-sectional profile defined by a skin having first and second longitudinal edges (38,40) and first and second end faces (42,43); said longitudinal edges of said at least one leading edge segment joined to said forward edge of said first shell component at a first bond line, and joined to said forward edge of said second shell component at a second bond line; and whereby said leading edge of said blade between said first and second bond lines comprises a continuous unbroken surface defined by said at least one leading edge segment, characterized in that said at least one leading edge segment is open-ended and further comprises at least one bracing web attached to an inner surface of said skin and extending transverse to said longitudinal edges, and further comprising a rigid conductive strip member connected to said bracing web and disposed longitudinally within said skin, said conductive strip member being grounded such that said leading edge segment contains a lightning strike protection system, and wherein said conductive strip member provides structural rigidity and support to said at least one leading edge segment. a first shell component, and a second shell component, said shell components joined together at a trailing edge of said blade, each of said shell components further comprising a forward edge (20,26); at least one leading edge segment joined to said shell components and aligned along a longitudinal length of said blade, said at least one leading edge segment defining a continuous leading edge of said blade; said at least one leading edge segment comprising an arcuate cross-sectional profile defined by a skin having first and second longitudinal edges (38,40) and first and second end faces (42,43); said longitudinal edges of said at least one leading edge segment joined to said forward edge of said first shell component at a first bond line, and joined to said forward edge of said second shell component at a second bond line; and whereby said leading edge of said blade between said first and second bond lines comprises a continuous unbroken surface defined by said at least one leading edge segment, characterized in that said at least one leading edge segment is open-ended and further comprises at least one bracing web attached to an inner surface of said skin and extending transverse to said longitudinal edges, and further comprising a rigid conductive strip member connected to said bracing web and disposed longitudinally within said skin, said conductive strip member being grounded such that said leading edge segment contains a lightning strike protection system, and wherein said conductive strip member provides structural rigidity and support to said at least one leading edge segment.