VILLAGERS meet tonight to discover details of a 200-acre burial site less than half a mile from their homes.

Former opencast land at Inkerman, near Tow Law, was identified yesterday and approved by the Environment Agency and Durham County Council.

The HJ Banks site is south of the road leading to Cornsay, and between 400 to 500 metres from the nearest houses.

Encircled by contaminated farms, the hilltop community has been hit harder than most by foot-and-mouth and residents are said to be keeping an open mind over the proposal.

Lorries taking carcasses to the site will use the A68 and will be disinfected before they arrive and as they leave.

Maff expects the first burials to start in the middle of next week.

Leaflets are being distributed around Tow Law inviting residents to a meeting in the community centre, at 7pm.