VILLAGERS are fighting plans to extend a limestone quarry to within yards of their homes.

Lafarge Aggregates, the operator of Thrislington Quarry, west of the A1 near Ferryhill, County Durham, wants to extend the site to the east side of the motorway.

Residents in nearby Bishop Middleham say the proposed 225- acre extension, coupled with existing sites, would see them surrounded by quarries.

They fear it would ruin the countryside, leave their homes permanently under a cloud of dust, and the increased noise and traffic would be unbearable.

They have been angered by a report by Entec Environmental and Engineering Consultancy, on behalf of Lafarge, that suggests the surrounding landscape is of poor quality and unkempt.

Objector Eric Potts said: "These consultants who say the environment lacks any attractive features are based in Shropshire.

"They do not know how many farms are under stewardship schemes so hedges and fields cannot be cut and do not appreciate the sweeping views of the Cleveland Hills, waves of golden corn in summer and rolls of straw after harvest."

Billy and Carole King moved to a cottage at Highland Farm, on the outskirts of the village, in 1995, to enjoy a quiet retirement.

Now the couple are worried that their peace will be shattered if the quarry is extended as planned - with just a country lane between their home and the edge of the site.

Mr King said: "This planning application, if granted, will quite literally have an earth-shattering effect on our retirement.

"The noise and dust already affects everybody in the area and that is half-a-mile away. If it moves even closer to us, it will be unbearable.

"My wife has asthma and never used an inhaler until moving here, I am really worried about how it would affect her health."

Bosses at LaFarge say the site is recognised as being internationally important, as it is one of only three working quarries in the UK that can access such pure minerals.

They say the company needs to dig for the high-quality limestone found on the new site to mix with lower quality material for use in the steel melting process.

Other materials extracted during the quarry's estimated 30-year life would be used in the construction industry and agriculture.

After working the site, the company would create a conservation site by linking existing nature reserves at Thrislington Plantation and Bishop Middleham.

Durham County Council is expected to discuss the planning application no sooner than February.