VILLAGERS are demanding action after claiming toxic gases released from the Throckmorton burial pits have affected their health.

Pinvin families living near the foot-and-mouth pits say they have suffered the same illnesses as homeowners in nearby Throckmorton, and have called for an investigation to be launched.

On Saturday, the Evening News revealed Throckmorton villagers were suffering from a number of ailments including mouth and throat blisters, sore eyes, headaches and extreme tiredness. They were also coughing up green mucus, they claimed.

Once they left the village, they said, symptoms cleared up.

Debbie Whetton, of Saltboxes, Pinvin, said she and her neighbours were suffering the same symptoms.

She claimed neighbours had watched "mist" rise out of the pits and travel across their gardens. All had suffered the "awful stench" from the pits, she said.

"I'm always very tired and have headaches, sore eyes and have had a sore on my lip which I've never had before in my life.

"My six-year-old son Ben is continually coughing up green mucus and my eldest son Jamie, 17, has asthma which has got much worse since the pits have been here.

"Jamie went to the doctors and his breathing was so bad he got a colleague to look at him. It's never been this bad before.

"The doctors said they didn't know what caused it, but agreed it wasn't hay fever."

Neighbour Leslie Pocknell, who is waiting for a heart bypass operation, joined calls for an investigation.

"My daughter Rebecca has regularly complained of stomach pains since the pits were dug," said the 59-year-old.

"We believe this must be linked to the pits, and want an investigation carried out."

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said its monitoring had not revealed any evidence of environmental problems associated with the Throckmorton burial site.

"However, in the light of concerns expressed about people's health, we are consulting with the area health authority and asking whether they have any evidence that we should be aware of," he said.

"In addition to the ongoing monitoring we are continuing to carry out, we will be carrying out a review of burial sites shortly."

Janet Ferguson, spokeswoman for the South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, said the trust had not been made aware of increased illness in the village.