A LANDFILL site operator has suspended plans to dispose of animal carcasses at its site.

Biffa said last night it would not accept any consignments of carcasses at its Thornton Fields landfill facility, near Guisborough, east Cleveland, until the company was satisfied that Maff and any "other relevant Government bodies" had provided sufficient information to the local community.

Dennis Muir, who farms at nearby Dunsdale, said: "This is great news."

The site had been identified by Maff and the Environment Agency as suitable for the safe disposal of healthy animals culled in an attempt to stop the spread of the disease.

Robin Tweedale, Biffa landfill director, said: "We fully understand the concerns of our neighbours and feel that they must be in full possession of the facts regarding the safety of these actions.

"Until such time that we are happy that this information has been provided, we really cannot accept any animals.