LETHAL chemicals are leaking from carcase pits on Throckmorton airfield and threatening water systems, claims a contractor employed to bury animals during the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Roger Martin says he fears someone will die as a result of what he has called "blunders" by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency.

The 53-year-old claims both Government departments failed to ensure the burial pits were watertight, meaning highly toxic effluent could travel underground, contaminating water supplies.

He added that, despite DEFRA's insistence massive drains around the perimeter of the site could contain poisonous chemicals released by the rotting carcases, the porous ground and rock formations would allow pollution to reach streams and water supplies.

The excavator driver, who worked on the burials for nine-and-a-half months, also claimed there were "considerably" more animals in the pits than the 130,000 claimed by DEFRA.

"Bore holes were put on the outside of the trenches and were continually found to be contaminated when tested, which shows the trenches are not working and the chemicals could infect water supplies."

Mr Martin, of Telford, said he feared the chemicals had already reached the area's water table and would infect a nearby brook which runs alongside a housing estate in Wyre Piddle and Pershore.

"When we dug the first pit I could see water running into it and I said we could not put the carcases into it," he said.

"If water runs in, it is going to run out.

"But I was told to carry on and bury the carcases.

"Standard landfill sites have a legal requirement to use clay to ensure none of the poisonous effluents can escape.

"But this was not done at the burial sites, despite being told that the pits would leak."

A DEFRA spokeswoman said all due care had been taken to ensure there was no health or environmental damage from the pits.

"The Environment Agency has given it a clean bill of health," she said.

"We decided, in full consultation with the liaison committee, to construct an extra protective barrier in the form of an underground clay wall around the cells as part of the development.

Evidence

"We have not been made aware of any evidence of poor construction.

"Indeed, a recent engineering review endorsed the site and its operation.

But DEFRA would follow up any evidence submitted to us and would carefully consider any claims make about potential health problems."

A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency said since the last carcase was buried in May 2001, "extensive" tests had been carried out to check conditions at the site.

"The tests make sure nothing is leaking, and we are satisfied everything is fine," she said.

"But the tests are on-going."