Lives could be put at risk by an above-ground pressure reduction plant at Corse.

That was the fear raised by concerned residents at a meeting at Corse and Staunton Village Hall.

National Grid wants to install the facility, which will cover six-acres of open countryside at Corse.

Residents have formed a pressure group called CAPRI (Campaign Against Pressure Reduction Installations) to fight the proposal, led by planning lawyer Peter McMurtie.

He gave a presentation at the meeting, summarising the situation.

Mr McMurtie said the pressure level of the installation was unprecedented in Europe and were there to be an accident, it would cause an explosion similar to a mini atom bomb.

As well as the accident risk, CAPRI is concerned about noise levels, light pollution, toxic emissions and the danger of the site being targeted by terrorists.

June Fairburn, one of the residents who attended the meeting, said "The proposed installation would be a very dangerous, hideous development, which we neither need nor want."

In response to residents' concerns, Dianne Owen, spokesperson for National Grid said: "Safety is paramount in all aspects of our work.

"We would not have put forward the proposal at Corse if we felt it represented any material risk to local residents."

Dr John Heap, CAPRI's liaison officer, said National Grid claimed it would be possible to have an underground installation instead of one above-ground, but it would cost more and so not be in shareholders' interests.

National Grid is now re-submitting an amended application and CAPRI is urging all concerned to object, even if they have already done so.

Anyone wishing to join CAPRI should email jlgabbott@yahoo.co.uk.

A cash appeal has been launched to help raise funds to fight the proposal and donations can be sent to CAPRI, 1 Cotswold View, Tirley, GL19 4HN.