PROTESTORS from the North-East gathered outside Maff's disease control centre in Newcastle yesterday to demand the closure of all mass foot-and-mouth burial sites throughout the country.

About 20 people from Tow Law, near Bishop Auckland, marched with banners outside the centre at Kenton Barr.

The peaceful protest was to show a united front with campaigners from all over the country which had called a National Action Day to demand the closure of all sites.

Gavin Thomas, 22, from Tow Law, said he felt the group made their point.

He said: "We wanted to enhance awareness of the situation and we had a lot of people honking their horns in support.

"As for achieving anything with Maff, I don't think we are ever going to do that."

Two of the campaigners were invited inside to talk to Maff officials during the hour-long demonstration. and pointed out the ongoing problem of smells from the site, and of rats.

A Maff spokesman said last night they were keen to maintain a dialogue with the residents and that there had been a liaison group set up when the site first opened.

She said: "We have got ongoing dialogue with the people at Tow Law and will continue discussions with them. There is another meeting tomorrow.''