AN environmental hit squad, believed to be the first in the country, is to be based in Clitheroe.

The Environment Agency is to base a rapid response unit, aimed at tackling air pollution in the town.

Company bosses were pleased yesterday after the pollution watchdog gave them the all clear.

Castle Cement, Tarmac and ICI were told by the agency that air quality in Clitheroe was as good as anywhere else.

The agency launched a £500,000 two-month air survey after residents kicked up a fuss about Castle Cement's use of the controversial Cemfuel.

But it is to base the unit in Clitheroe to secure "real environmental improvements" for the area.

Mr Ian Handyside, the agency's North-West regional general manager, said the results of the survey would help the organisation develop a "sound scientific basis" for understanding environmental issues in Clitheroe.

"We are committed to continuing our work to secure real environmental improvements. We will base staff in the town so that they can take immediate samples in response to any pollution complaints," he said.

The agency is also to help Ribble Valley Council and East Lancashire Area Health Authority identify increased dust levels in the vicinity of Clitheroe Hospital, targeted by the survey as a pollution blackspot. High levels of pollutants were also found in Chatburn, although air quality in the village was said to be "very good" most of the time.

Castle Cement has been at the centre of a storm since it started burning Cemfuel three years ago.

General manager Ian Sutheran said the survey had "finally put to bed groundless fears" about emissions from the firm's Ribblesdale works.

"The study bears out what we have been saying about emissions from our works for a number of years.

"Air quality locally has been confirmed as good and already meets standards set for the year 2005."

Clean-air campaigners reacted angrily to the survey's findings and denounced the Environment Agency for warning Castle Cement when monitoring was to take place.

Mrs Mary Horner, of AirWatch, said: "A House of Commons select committee condemned pre-announced testing, yet these results are to be used as the basis for any or no action to be taken."

Council chiefs gave a guarded response to the findings and welcomed moves to have an Environment Agency presence.

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