ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners say a quarry firm is rushing an archaeological survey.

The criticism comes after council chiefs delayed a decision on plans to extend Nosterfield Quarry, near Masham, North Yorkshire. It is to give archaeologists time to determine whether the site is of national importance.

The proposed quarry extension at Ladybridge Farm is near the 5,000-year-old Thornborough Henges - Neolithic earthworks.

George Chaplin, from campaign group TimeWatch, said: "The researchers appear to be focusing only on Neolithic archaeology in one location while additional important archaeology is likely to be located where they are not looking.

"We are concerned that the current digging is being done in a hurried manner, in bad weather, using heavy equipment and without the constant supervision of an outside group of archaeologists."

However, professional archaeologist Steve Timms, who heads the survey team, said: "The additional archaeological investigation at Ladybridge Farm has been designed by English Heritage, North Yorkshire County Council and ourselves.

"The work is being undertaken by a team of highly qualified professional archaeologists and is being monitored on a weekly basis by a representative from English Heritage."

An open morning will be held at Ladybridge Farm on Saturday, between 8am and noon.