DEMONSTRATORS chained themselves to the gates of a waste plant yesterday.
Former shipbuilder Bill Tynan, 75, and Liz Crocker, 39, took the action after a fire at Newcastle's Byker incinerator.
The pair, from Newcastle, were backed by more than 24 banner-waving protestors as they made their point during a visit by Health and Safety Executive officers, investigating the minor blaze.
Ms Crocker said: "We want a meeting with Health and Safety. We want them to shut the plant down, to investigate the working practices, and carry out toxicity tests.
"They cannot possibly say it is safe until they have done the tests. We have been fobbed off for a long time."
Campaigners left after a four-hour demonstration. They claim burning waste from the incinerator led to dangerous levels of carcinogenic dioxins seeping into the atmosphere.
Newcastle City Council chiefs admitted 2,000 tonnes of contaminated ash had been spread on local allotments.
In March, the city council revealed plans to double the volume of rubbish burned at the incinerator.
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