AN environmental organisation has added its voice to growing opposition to plans to mine more than 111 acres of farmland on the Derwentside border.

The Osbourne Environmental Trust, based at Annfield Plain, Stanley, has waded in to the debate surrounding a proposal to work the site near Burnopfield.

Hall Construction wants to remove 480,000 tonnes of coal and 100,000 tonnes of fire clay from the Byermoor Farm over a three-year period.

More than 2,500 people have signed a petition in opposition as part of a campaign that already has the support of Durham County Council and Derwentside District Council.

Osbourne Conservation Trust director Kennth Osbourne Grant said: "As we are now well aware of the dire effects of global warming throughout the world, we must in this nation sharply reduce the carbon dioxide gases, including the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal.

"Deep mining has now ended and our once-scared landscapes of waste pit heaps and despoliation of land and beaches in Northumberland and Durham have been cleared and restored to England's green and pleasant land - at great cost to tax payers."

Mr Osbourne Grant urged all councillors and residents to oppose the planning application, which will be discussed by Gateshead Council next month.

The site would operate five-and-a-half days a week, from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, and to 1pm on Saturdays. An estimated 96 lorry journeys would be made each day on roads in Gateshead.

Hall Construction says restoration by would include returning the site to farming and creating woodland, ponds, wetlands and improved access.