AN environmental expert has claimed health in the Longton area near Preston could be put at risk if composting firm TEG Environmental get the go-ahead to build a massive compost plant.

Longton resident Tom Sutton, who has won dozens of accolades for his work on environmental issues, attended a meeting on Tuesday (July 31) organised by residents to discuss the firm's plan.

Hundreds of worried residents turned out in force to protest against the plant which would be used to treat sewage, abattoir waste and beer and pharmaceutical waste products.

Retired Mr Sutton said: "This has not been proved to be safe as there is no environmental data and experiments carried out by TEG environmental -- are limited. Many have been given the impression that it will all be contained and this is not so."

He said the plant would heat active raw materials to 60 degrees centigrade, before it is dropped onto large 'hot beds' containing pathogens. The hot beds do not have bio filters so air which is carrying pathogens will go out through the roof, releasing smelly gasses such as ammonia and hydrogen sulphates into the atmosphere.

But Mike Cox, financial director of TEG, said: "Waste to be treated is safe and will be delivered in sealed lorries -- the plant will actually provide regeneration to the area. All plans have been assessed by the Environment Agency."

Environment Agency spokesman Steve Broughton added: "We have made certain assessments however TEG haven't applied for a waste licence yet. We will only issue them with one after an assessment where results show that we would be fully satisfied that their are no health risks involved."