RESIDENTS have joined forces with green campaigners in an effort to halt the expansion of a Teesside incinerator.

Opponents are calling for a public inquiry into the whole question of extending the domestic waste incinerator at Haverton Hill, Billingham.

Planning permission has already been granted for the scheme, which would enable the plant to expand by 50 per cent, burn more rubbish and take waste from outside Teesside.

Now, Billingham Residents Against the Incinerator have joined forces with Billingham environmental group, Red Alert. Both are committed to preventing the incinerator's expansion.

They want assurances that present processes at the incinerator, operated by Cleveland Waste Management (CWM), meet the EC directive, which demands proper safety levels.

Malcolm Diegan, one of the leaders of Red Alert said the greatest threat of pollution could come from the fact that the incinerator will dispose of household refuse.

He said: "The problem with household refuse is that no one can possibly have any proper control of what is being destroyed.

For example, everyone sees the warnings about how to dispose of simple torch or TV remote control batteries. Most people ignore the warnings and throw the batteries away with other household refuse.

"The risk is of producing dioxins, which would then be free in the atmosphere, with the result the public may be at risk literally at the whim of a wind. This means the incinerator is possibly a threat to the whole of Teesside."

A spokeswoman from CWM said: "The existing plant meets all European and UK legislation and the new one will also meet them.

"We would be more than happy to talk to residents if they do have any concerns."

Peter Goodwin, of Teesside Green Party, has asked for the planning approval, granted by Stockton Borough Council, to be called in for a public inquiry because of the regional significance of the planned burning capacity.

He has also called for more recycling through composting to meet Government targets