A PLEA by Yorkshire Water for emergency powers to dump sewage in the River Ure at Masham, near Ripon, has caused uproar in the community.

Protests are being led by Masham Parish Council which is tabling a strongly-worded protest to Yorkshire Water after hearing about the scheme.

But Yorkshire Water has said the measures were needed in rare emergencies to prevent sewers backing up and flooding people's homes with sewage

Parish councillor Nigel Simms, who also represents the area on Harrogate Borough Council, said he could hardly believe what he had heard at the parish council meeting. "Here we have one of the cleanest rivers around. Trout flourish here, people bathe in it from caravan sites.

"And now we face the prospect of raw sewage being dumped in it. No wonder there has been such an angry reaction."

But Yorkshire Water said if a discharge did occur it would be partially treated - not crude - sewage.

North Yorkshire County Councillor for Masham and Fountains Paul Richardson, who attended the meeting where the controversial issue was raised, said: "I am very concerned about the situation and share the real fears of local people. It has taken years to get the river so clean and the idea of dumping sewage in it is simply appalling."

Meanwhile the parish council is launching a campaign to win wider backing for its protests.

A spokesman for Yorkshire Water said the application had been placed in a newspaper by the Environment Agency. "When new consents to discharge are applied for it is usual for the agency to ask for a public response. Yorkshire Water is requesting a consent, which is governed by the agency, to discharge waste water to the River Ure in times of emergency, for example mechanical or electrical failure."