VILLAGERS protesting against a foot-and-mouth burial site claim the Government is ignoring its own guidelines on carcass disposal.

As the battle rages on over the use of the mass burial site at Inkerman, Tow Law, County Durham, protestors say they have evidence that the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is breaking its own protocol by continuing to bury cattle at the site.

Peter Lister, from Tow Law, says the Department of Health's website lists the preferred methods of disposal as rendering and incineration as the most appropriate options, with mass burial the least favourable of five choices.

The website also states that "every effort should be made to use rendering, incineration or landfill (where appropriate) before considering burning or burial".

Mr Lister said two mobile incinerators owned by Hall Farm Merchants in Northallerton are available for use.

He said: "At least week's liaison meeting, Defra told us the Tow Law site would be used only as a last option if there was no other option available.

"We are asking Defra why they haven't considered other methods of disposal when other methods exist. They set these protocols, so why don't they stick to them? Incinerators burn cleanly and can be used on site."

A spokesman for Defra confirmed the issue of incineration had been brought up at Thursday's meeting and had told villagers they will look into using air curtain incinerators.