ANIMAL burial site protestors could face charges after being arrested last weekend in connection with an alleged assault on a security guard.

Last night, six of the women who keep a daily vigil outside the Inkerman site, at Tow Law, County Durham, said they were stunned by the accusation.

Police are investigating claims that a security guard was injured during an incident at the entrance to the site on August 3. But the protestors said they had no idea the security guard had been assaulted.

Chrissy Suddes, 38, said: "A couple of police officers came to see us and asked us to go up to station at Consett to give a statement.

"We had no idea we would be arrested. I am not going to get the blame for something I have not done.''

The women said the arrests particularly came as a shock because relations with security staff at the site have been good.

They said that on the day of the alleged assault, protestors and guards were in high spirits. The campaigners had been putting boulders and rubble across the entrance of the site to stop vehicles from getting in and out.

Mrs Suddes said: "There was never any nastiness - we were all just having a laugh and carrying on.''

Heather Lang, 34, Katrina Rowley, 25; Clare Umpleby, 28; Mavis Orton, 55; and Agnes Taylor, 57, were also arrested, questioned about the incident and released on police bail.

Mrs Taylor said: "I have a frozen shoulder and cannot even lift a bag. How am I supposed to have assaulted a security guard?''

Mrs Orton said: "I have never been in trouble with the police in all my life.

"I am worried sick about it.''

The other three women are also adamant that they did not touch the guard.

Inspector Michael Henson, of Consett Police, said: "There have been some ladies come in over the weekend. None has been charged as yet. They have been asked to come back to this office sometime in November pending further inquiries.''