A CALL has been made for more local input after residents managed to stop the burning of contaminated animals at the last minute.

People living in Hawes, North Yorkshire, hit out at late plans by Maff to burn animals from nearby Ashes Farm.

Fears that smoke from the farm, which has been affected by foot-and-mouth, would blow around the village, polluting the air for schoolchildren and residents prompted a campaign to have the animals buried.

Richmondshire District Councillor Yvonne Peacock said there had been a lot of heartache over the issue.

She said: "We have had quite a difficult few days. Everyone was concerned because it is so close to Hawes.

"People who make these decisions don't always know the geography. The local people felt burning these animals was just not acceptable. It would have been horrendous."

The animals have now been transported to another location where they will be buried. Coun Peacock does not know where.

She is now writing to Dr John Williams from Maff to request that when making decisions on what to do with contaminated animals officials should listen to those who know the area.

She said: "We need more local knowledge to be used before the decisions are made not afterwards, as in this case."