A CAMPAIGNER today admitted she was the person cement firm bosses have blamed for delaying a multi-million pound investment but insisted: "I have no regrets."

Angry Castle Cement managers accused protesters of scaremongering and causing a planned expansion at its North Wales plant to be called in for a public inquiry - leading to £8million investment plans aimed at improving efficiency and the environment at its Clitheroe site to be put on hold.

Castle attacked what it described as a "small group of protesters supported by one Ribble Valley protester" for frightening the local community in Padeswood and giving them misinformation.

Today Mary Horner, who has been one of the most vocal protesters against the burning of Cemfuel at the Ribblesdale works, admitted she was the protester referred to but refuted the accusations of scaremongering.

"I presume when they talk about the one Ribble Valley protester involved they mean me because I have been down to speak to the people around Padeswood three times," said Mrs Horner of Dunsop Bridge.

"We have been giving residents there the facts and letting them make their own minds up."

And she said the decision to hold a public inquiry was something that the residents of the Ribble Valley had missed out on.

"At least at Padeswood there will be a chance for everything to come out into the open and a proper decision made. If we had had a public inquiry here we wouldn't be in the position we are now."

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