THE Ministry of Agriculture has ditched plans to burn animal carcasses near a village, after bowing to pressure from objectors.

Many Tow Law residents have opposed proposals to dump diseased cattle on a former opencast quarry, half a mile from their village.

One of their main concerns was that cattle would be burnt and slaughtered on the land, which is within sight of a primary school.

But now the Newcastle Disease Emergency Control Centre has announced that it will not burn or slaughter animals at the site.

Directorm Bob Dobbie said: "The Tow Law site was announced on April 5.

"At that time it was being considered primarily for the burial of animals, but with the option to be used as a burning site, and for the slaughter of animals.

"We have looked again at the site and have taken into account local opinion and the special circumstances of the location, most notably the proximity of a school, and have decided we shall use it as a burial site only."

North West Durham MP Hilary Armstrong said she was pleased the ministry had listened to residents.

She said: "There was growing concern in Tow Law about the burning. I hope that now the protestors will stop.

"They did not represent the whole of Tow Law anyway, but it is now time for people in the village to pull together."