THE battle over some of Britain's most important prehistoric remains has taken a new turn - with workers threatened by the row making a plea for their jobs.

Staff and haulage drivers at Nosterfield Quarry, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, fear their future is being put at risk by the controversy over nearby Thornborough Henges.

Quarry operator Tarmac Northern wants to extend its operations to nearby Ladybridge Farm and remove 550,000 tonnes of sand and gravel a year over four years.

Although Tarmac points out the planned extension is a kilometre away from the complex of neolithic earthworks - which date back 5,000 years - opponents are furious about the scheme.

The protestors fear that the scheme could have a disastrous impact on the archaeology of the site and thousands of people have signed petitions against it.

Hundreds more have sent letters of objection to North Yorkshire County Council.

The authority is to hold a meeting in September to decide on the issue - but now quarry staff and drivers are urging councillors to remember the site's value to the local economy.

Foreman Phil Nattrass and loader driver Paul Ingram - who have worked at the quarry for 39 years between them - have so far collected more than 300 signatures urging approval for the scheme.

Mr Ingram said: "We are aware that objectors have been very active in collecting signatures from far and wide demanding that the application be refused and suggesting that we quarry workers can just move elsewhere.

"We feel it is time to point out that our jobs should not be just dismissed by the objectors as being of little importance.

"Nosterfield Quarry has been a substantial and reliable employer in the district for many years and the value of our employment should be taken into account.

"Closure would have a definite impact on us and on the economy of the area."

Mr Nattrass added: "It is not a case of wanting to keep our jobs at the cost of the landscape, because the proposed continuation site will be well screened by trees and shrub planting.

"The quarry also has the big advantage of being close to the A1, and our lorries do not pass through any villages to reach the A1."

Nosterfield Quarry employs 15 people on site and 40 drivers are employed by haulage contractors who take its products to mixing plants and construction sites. Tarmac claims supplies in the present Nosterfield working area will run out at the end of next year and the extension would enable production to continue at present levels.