PROTESTERS are holding a 24-hour vigil in a bid to fight plans to build a waste plant in their village.

Residents in Huncoat have pledged to keep up their protests against a new waste treatment works at the former Huncoat power station site despite planning permission being granted for the project last month.

The protesters are angry not only at plans for the waste plant but also the fact that an access road will cut through green belt land.

They now hope that the planning application will be "called in" to be decided by Secretary of State Ruth Kelly who would re-examine it from a broader, regional perspective.

Scores of protesters gathered on Burnley Road yesterday afternoon and will remain there, near where the proposed access road would begin, until 3pm today.

Organiser Louise Burton said: "Lancashire county councillors have never really listened to the protesters, they have arrogantly stuck to their plan regardless of the effect on the residents of Huncoat.

"Even if the council get their way I want to make it absolutely clear to them the feelings of the people here and how badly we feel we are being treated."

She added: "If the plans are called into a public inquiry, anything can happen and even if the plans are given the go-ahead there may be substantial changes that benefit residents."

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope has already written to Government Office North West to ask that the decision be called in.

Mr Pope's letter said: "I believe the implications of this application are far wider then merely local concerns.

"I believe that the application needs to be seen in the wider context of the strategic use of our motorway network including the M65, the development not just of the former power station site but also the adjacent landfill site, the protection of precious greenbelt and possible access and egress arrangements from either the M65 or A56.'' Mr Pope said: "There are particular problems because of the existence of Whinney Hill.

"It certainly should not go ahead without a direct access from the M65 which could serve both the new waste centre and Whinney Hill removing heavy goods traffic from local roads."