PROTESTORS have lost their appeal against a decision to allow a large animal incinerator to be built.

They had been seeking High Court permission to challenge the planning authority's approval of the scheme near Charltons, in east Cleveland.

Protestor John Tombs vowed to continue the fight to stop large animal incineration taking place at the site.

He said: "We could not believe the verdict. I was gutted. But it certainly isn't the end of the matter.

"Incineration obviously needs to take place, but putting it in a residential area just is not right."

The dispute over the incinerator has divided the community of 500 people for almost two years.

The North Yorkshire Moors National Parks Authority initially granted planning permission a year ago.

Opponents sought a High Court injunction to prevent it going ahead and were relieved when the case was withdrawn after the authority conceded that its decision to allow planning permission was flawed.

But applicant Ted Noddings made a second attempt in September when planning permission was again granted.

It was then that opponents appealed to the High Court a second time, asking for permission to challenge the decision. However, their application was rejected by Mr Justice Sullivan.

Andy Wilson, chief executive of the park authority, said: "The case was heard by a very experienced judge. He was emphatic that we had done everything possible."