THE author of a letter which claims a proposed crematorium would spew out toxic gas has been accused of scare-mongering.

Scores of homes in Calderstones Park, Whalley, received the letter about a planning application to build a crematorium on nearby land at Ribble Valley Remembrance Park, Mitton Road.

Community leader Mel Diack, who lives in Mitton Road, slammed the letter’s anonymous author and said that planning decisions should be left to Ribble Valley Council.

Covered in toxic insignia such as skull-and-crossbones, the letter claims that a crematorium would emit mercury which would lead to “birth defects, kidney disease and multiple sclerosis.”

Mr Diack said: “This is total scaremongering. People should be careful what they print and matters such as this should be discussed in the proper chambers.

“I am sure that no one has had a meeting to discuss the crematorium plans and I would welcome one so that people can discuss them.

“I just hope that people will not be scared by this letter when they are not fully aware of the true implications of the proposed crematorium.”

The letter goes on to question whether such a development is required in Whalley and urges people to bombard Ribble Valley Council with complaints.

The remembrance park, which is the final resting place of 995 former patients of Calderstones Hospital, has been plagued by vandals in recent months and a number of headstones and chapels have been smashed.

The application for a crematorium was submitted by Broxburn Mount Ltd, a company based in Knowsley Industrial Park, Kirkby, Merseyside.