CAMPAIGNERS fighting against an extension to a quarry could be dealt a blow if a second quarry in the area is allowed to extend its operation.

W&M Thompson Limited is hoping to extend the life of its site, situated directly to the north of Bishop Middleham, Sedgefield, by six years.

Production at the 37.5 hectare limestone quarry is currently due to stop in 2009, with the site expected to be restored by 2021. Operators say the restoration date will remain the same.

Campaigners objecting to the extension recently sent Durham County Council two videos which helped persuade members to defer the decision pending a site visit.

Eric Potts, a campaigner who accused the council of trying to turn Bishop Middleham into a quarry, claimed the application was being rushed and welcomed the decision to defer.

He said: "We are pleased they have deferred the decision, as it gives us some breathing space and more time to put our objections together and gives councillor's more time to consider them."

Lafarge Aggregate wants to extend its nearby Thrislington quarry by 225 acres, a move the company says will secure about 150 jobs.

No date has yet been set for the county council's planning committee to consider the Lafarge application, but a site visit to the W&M Thompson site is expected within the next two weeks.

Councillor Joe Armstrong said: "Thompson is a very reputable company. What I would ask is that they put in every safety measure regarding dust, noise and blasting.

"I would like some more information. Let's go and see it on the ground, so we can make a balanced decision."

The company has sighted the 2001 foot-and-mouth crisis, which suppressed the demand for agricultural lime and imposed limitations on vehicle movement, as one of the reasons its needs to extend its operating time.

It has estimated that, by 2009, approximately 2.2m tonnes of limestone will remain unworked.

The closest homes lie approximately 450metres from the site access and 290metres from the nearest working part of the quarry.

As well as the extension to its working life, the application calls for increased use of blasting but states they will replace a noisy bulldozer with a quieter 360 degree excavator