THE Government was facing another rural revolt last night over its plans for a mass burial site in North Yorkshire, as the foot-and-mouth epidemic continued to plague the region.

Residents of Easingwold, near York, are prepared to take "drastic action" to stop slaughtered animals being being buried at a landfill site, near Alne brickworks.

The controversy flared as two more outbreaks of foot-and-mouth were confirmed in the county yesterday, taking the total to 75.

Easingwold resident John Ziliukas said local people would make it as difficult as possible for carcasses to be brought to the site.

"It would be mad to use an area like this, where thankfully there has been no foot-and-mouth, to get rid of animals that could be carrying the infection," he said.

"I have been trying to get some straight answers about whether this site is going to be used or not, but I am still waiting.

"We want to know whether it will be used - sooner rather than later.

"It could be disastrous. We will do what we can to stop them bringing it. I am already planning a petition, but other people are prepared to take more drastic action.

"One woman, for instance, is ready to chain herself to railings at the site to block the wagons."

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed that the Alne site was under consideration for a mass burial.

Local councillor Frank Wade said: "There is a lot of strong feeling among people. People are getting very angry."

Any blockades could mirror the angry scenes in Tow Law, County Durham, where villagers camped outside the Inkerman site.

A Defra spokeswoman said: "This is part of our contingency planning around the region. It is an on-going process and lots of sites have already been discarded."

The Alne site could be used if there is an outbreak in the area or if the epidemic continues to spread through the county.

The two new cases of the disease in North Yorkshire yesterday were at Harlsey Castle, West Harlsey, near Northallerton, and Thornflat Farm, East Harsley.

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