A MASS foot-and-mouth burial site in a North-East village will never be used again for disposing carcasses, the Government said last night.

People living in Tow Law, County Durham, were celebrating the news having campaigned for the official closure of the controversial Inkerman burial site on the outskirts of the village since 2001.

Yesterday, local MP Hilary Armstrong reassured residents that the site would not be used again after securing its formal closure.

The news also paves the way for the fells to be handed over to a partnership of local councils, residents and Durham Wildlife Trust, to create a wildlife reserve.

MP Elliot Morley, the Minister for Fisheries, Water and Nature Protection, told his North-West Durham colleague that the decision was finalised following a government review into the future use of foot-and-mouth burial sites.

Ms Armstrong said: "This is very good news for the people of Tow Law.

"Residents will be very pleased that the site will never again be used for the disposal of animals.

"It marks the beginning of a new chapter for the town, and I look forward to working with the partnership to develop the fell into a place where people can go and enjoy the beauty of our countryside."

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will retain the management of the burial area.

Defra will have the option, after community consultation, to use it as a transport and storage depot in the event of a future outbreak.

Jenny Flynn, chairwoman of Tow Law Town Council, said: "We are very pleased with this decision.

"The whole community was devastated when the site was chosen, but at least now we know it cannot be used for burials again.

"It is a real step forward, though disappointing that it could be used for storage and transportation in future.

"Thankfully, however, it is clearly stated that public consultation must be carried out in the event of this, and I'm confident we'd be much better prepared to present our concerns and arguments in the horrible event of another outbreak."