A COUNCILLOR has spoken of his worry that piles of tyres waiting to be shredded at a Coxhoe recycling plant will be a fire risk.

Councillor Dennis Morgan said he was concerned that plans to shred up to 15,000 tonnes of used tyres on the Stocks Quarry landfill site are going ahead without the approval of the fire brigade.

Coun Morgan, who represents Coxhoe on Durham County Council, said: "The prospect of a rubber fire concerns me, with the lack of a fire service report."

Premier Waste Management began shredding tyres at the site, although Durham County Council only approved the project yesterday, and the fire service had not expressed an opinion.

However, a spokesman for Premier said it had discussed the project with fire brigade leaders, and its methods are approved by the Environment Agency.

Alan Hodgson, the company's director of engineering and landfill, said: "Discussions with the fire brigade and the Environment Agency have resulted in a number of recommendations in terms of fire breaks between the tyres."

There will be a lagoon and fire pumps close to the tyre piles.