FED-UP villagers are prepared to put their bodies on the line to stop foot and mouth casualties being buried on their doorstep.

Lorries carrying carcasses of animals culled in a bid to prevent the virus spreading were prevented from tipping their cargo at the Whitehead tip on the outskirts of Astley Green.

But site operators Virador said on Wednesday repairs were being carried out to repair the thick clay and geo-synthetic liner and carcass consignments were due to arrive at any time.

A company spokesman said: "Effectively the site is on standby." He confirmed that sites throughout the country were required to safely dispose of dead animals as part of an emergency criteria delivered by the Government.

Worried local farmers, Worsley MP Terry Lewis and local authority watchdogs added weight to the call to prevent the animals being buried in a virus-free area.

Mr Lewis met with the environment minister Michael Meacher and told him: "Notwithstanding the need for a speedy response to the foot and mouth epidemic it is the duty of the Government to ensure the disposal of carcasses is done in a safe manner. I do not believe the Astley Green site is suitable to receive carcasses, diseased or not."

Last week lorries heading for the site were reportedly turned back after reaching the site because the Environment Agency had raised concerns.

But village leaders say they are certain the dumping will start by the end of this week.

As the Journal brought you the news that the landfill site had been earmarked as a dumping grounds for uncontaminated animals slaughtered as a precautionary measure, the first lorries headed for the Whitehead site.

But they were turned away when Environment Agency officers declared the tipping area unsuitable because of a breach in the membrane of the tipping area cell. But few locals were celebrating. On Saturday morning, 50 activists gathered at the tip road roundabout in Lower Green Lane. We are prepared to stand in front of lorries to prevent this going ahead," vowed local resident Pete Berry.

An Environment Agency spokesman confirmed they had been monitoring activities at the landfill site which was created on the old coal waste rucks between Lower Green Lane and Vicars Hall Lane, Boothstown.

Investigations revealed a breach in the lining of the cell membrane -- the lining in the hole in to which carcasses would be tipped -- and dumping was suspended because of fears that waste could leak out and contaminate ground water. But investigators said other parts of the site could perhaps be brought in to use for carcass disposal. This week Harry Worthington, chairman of the village residents' group, said bluntly: "The animal carcasses are definitely coming here -- once the damage to that cell lining is repaired. We are not so worried about the dumping of uncontaminated carcasses here, but the way in which it will be done. It is not a not-in-my-back-yard situation. We are not just bothered about this, we are concerned about the way the tip operates and its effect on our lives."

A Virador spokesman confirmed the site was being excavated to prepare for carcass consignments. He added: "We are doing all we can and working with the local community to ensure there is minimal conflict and we continue to offer a vital service for the disposal of waste."