COUNTY hall officials are gathering evidence for a government inquiry into cement manufacturers such as the Ribble Valley's Cemfuel.

A House of Commons investigation has been called to look at the impact on the environment of burning controversial secondary liquid fuels.

And Lancashire County Council chiefs, along with Ribble Valley officials, will be working together to collect information for the one-day inquiry next month.

Cemfuel is made from chemical waste and Clitheroe's Castle Cement Plant has been at the centre of controversy for several years.

Chris Holtom, who represents South Ribble at county hall, has welcomed the latest inquiry along with Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans.

The inquiry will look at whether existing regulations are strict enough to control pollution and the possibility of halting all plume grounding.

The use of secondary liquid fuels will also be investigated by the parliamentary inquiry.

Coun Holtom said: "This is a very important issue and we have to make sure that people in the Ribble Valley get a chance to put their point of view across.

"Any inquiry is a positive step forward and we have made sure that we have an input in the process."

He added: "I think the most important issue we have to look at as the elimination of plume grounding from the cement manufacturing process.

"Unless we can reduce plume grounding to a minimum it will cause problems for local people."

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