THE Government is considering launching further trials of genetically modified (GM) crops in County Durham.

Scientists are looking at several sites earmarked for the next round of GM oilseed rape trials, at Oakenshaw, near Willington, and Hutton Magna and Wycliffe with Thorpe, near Barnard Castle.

The independent Scientific Steering Committee has already approved the proposed locations, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is now assessing them.

If the Government approves the sites, crops will be sown in August and September.

Previous crop trials have met with strong protests.

Farmer John Richardson fell victim to activists for the second time in two years when crops being tested on behalf of Aventis Crop Science UK were damaged earlier this month at his Hutton Magna farm.

At Oakenshaw, a series of meetings were called by villagers who were worried about trials being carried out nearby, on land belonging to farmer Richard James.

Wear Valley District Councillor David Kingston, who lives in Willington, said: "I think after the first round of trials people were annoyed there was no consultation.

"People were only consulted or informed once the licence to plant the crops had been granted."