A GROUP campaigning against the siting of a tip in Shuttleworth has taken its protest to the Europe.

Ramsbottom Against Landfill (RALF) has enlisted the support of MEP David Sumberg in its fight to throw out plans to turn Fletcher Bank Quarry into a landfill site for commercial, industrial and domestic waste.

Bury's planning sub-committee will study and reach a decision on the controversial plans, submitted by Biffa Waste Ltd, in a special day-long session on March 7.

Leading campaigner, Mr Tony Ingham said: "Mr Sumberg met with representatives of RALF and was impressed with the way we had presented our objections to the plans.

"We invited the MEP down because landfill today flies in the face of European directives."

"He has said he is fully supporting us and will prepare a statement to be read out at the planning meeting."

In a bid to rally support for the campaign, RALF has put up banners around Ramsbottom and asked people to put posters in their windows declaring their support for the organisation and their protest against the application.

RALF's campaign centres on the impact the proposed tip would have on the environment in terms of the increase in traffic on the town's roads and the health risks posed by landfill sites as well as the general deterioration in the quality of life for residents.

Mr Ingham added: "We need to act now. If the plans get passed then it is too late."