TELEVISION writer and animal campaigner Carla Lane has sent a personal message of support to protestors opposing a foot-and-mouth burial site at Tow Law, County Durham.

The writer of series such as Bread, Ms Lane believes the long-term effects of the mass burial of animals slaughtered during the crisis are too uncertain to be placed just half a mile from a primary school.

She told The Northern Echo: "As we do not know the outcome of these burial sites, the one thing we must be absolutely certain of is that our children do not experience it."

She wrote to protestors after receiving a letter from them outlining their fears.

At the weekend, residents took their campaign to close the Inkerman site to the man they claim is partly responsible.

About 15 people drove to the home of Harry Banks, head of HJ Banks, the company which sold the site to the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (Maff) where they demonstrated for an hour.

One protestor commented: "It's much nicer out here than it is at the site. It certainly smells much better."

Mr Banks was unavailable for comment.

The move came a day after members of the group travelled to Newcastle, where they protested at Gray's Monument.

"We were just there really to promote the cause and talk to people in Newcastle about the site," said protestor Emma Nicol.

Residents of Esh Winning began a protest on Saturday because they fear any leaks from the Inkerman site could contaminate their water supply.

They met members of the Tow Law group yesterday to discuss the matter further.