GREEN campaigners fear they will never uncover the whole truth about radioactive waste dumped in Morecambe Bay during the 1970s. The National Radiological Protection Board is to review information that radioactive liquid sludge was dispersed from boats in the Bay although exactly where and how much have not been confirmed. Morecambe Bay was one of six areas which were pinpointed as dumping grounds, according to government reports released last week.

Mark Johnston, the local co-ordinator for Friends of the Earth, said: "We have now had time to examine the documents and they are substantially incomplete. We may never know the total picture of what went on in the 60s and 70s."

The waste is believed to have come from industrial processes at a Cheshire company called Thorium. The factory was later demolished and thousands of tonnes of contaminated soil and rubble had to be disposed of.

Mark added: "It is worrying to learn that all this went on in secret, It raises the question that what else has been dumped on sea or land that we still do not know about."

Green campaigners are also angry about the timing of the revelations which is just before the lengthy summer recess. Other dumping grounds include Liverpool Bay, the Clyde, the Forth, Beaufort's Dyke and the Humber Estuary.

Morecambe MP Geraldine Smith said she will be meeting with members of Friends of the Earth to discuss the evidence.

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