VILLAGERS from Throckmorton and Tilesford have protested that their concerns about the effects of burying animal carcasses on the former airfield on the local environment were going unheard.

So far, it has been revealed, that 102,000 carcasses have been buried there following the foot and mouth outbreak. Last Wednesday more than 50 people, including Bishampton villagers, crowded Bishampton village hall and many reported that lorries filled with rotting carcasses were speeding along the wrong route from Pinvin to the airfield, rather than using the agreed Lower Moor Road from Wyre Piddle.

Others said they were very much against the burial of the animals so near to their homes and believed the parish, district and county councillors were not adequately representing their views.

Wendy Andrews from Throckmorton said: "We are not willing to accept burial - we are not happy at all. I don't want to live in my home anymore because of the stench."

Joanna Birch said: "The lorries filled with animals are driving dangerously along the wrong route. When we complain we get shifted from pillar to post and nobody wants to take responsibility."

Chairman of Bishampton and Throckmorton Parish Council Terry Hall assured those present he would do all he could to pass on residents' complaints.

After the meeting, however, Captain George Griffin of the Green Howards Infantry Regiment said: " We have reissued instructions to drivers to use the agreed route. If we find they are not complying their contracts could be terminated.

He said he was impressing on drivers once again that no vehicles should be passing the school in Pinvin at opening and closing times, but that their speed was a matter for the police. Capt Griffin also wanted to make clear that vehicles full of animal carcasses were always escorted by an off-white Land Rover with a letter and two digit numbers in the windscreen for identification.

"Some residents have been confusing our vehicles with others going to the lorry depot and the landfill site nearby," he said.