WORK began this week on preparing a former airfield near Pershore for the burial of hundreds of dead livestock from across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

A 500-yard trench is being dug next to the main runway at Throckmorton, which is owned by the MoD.

The airfield is close to Worcestershire County Council's immense Hill and Moor rubbish dump.

Soldiers of the Green Howards infantry regiment, which is carrying out the clean-up operation across the two counties, will be supervising the site.

Brinley Davies, regional director at MAFF, said: "Animals are being culled at farms across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, and it is vitally important that we cull and dispose of them quickly and safely.

"After culling, animals will be loaded on to vehicles which have been individually approved and licensed by vets as suitable for the transport of infected carcasses.

"They will then be transported to the Throckmorton site, where they will be burned or buried in pits under the supervision of the Army."

Local Tory MP Peter Luff criticised the government for failing to consult local people before announcing the use of the site.

He said: "I'm not saying that Throckmorton should not be used for this purpose. It may even be the best site.

"The problem is that there was no consultation with the local community and no attempt to answer their legitimate questions. Government still has a duty to ensure local people are kept fully informed."