A LANDFILL site close to a farm with foot and mouth has been used to dispose of more than 3,000 carcasses of sheep and pigs, it was revealed today.

Withnell Landfill Site, owned by waste company Biffa, is thought to be the only site in Lancashire which is being used to dispose of animals culled in a bid to curb the crisis.

None of the sheep and pigs buried there have been diagnosed with the disease.

The site was chosen after meeting certain criteria demanded by the Environment Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF).

A Biffa spokesman said the company was helping out with a national crisis. He said: "There are certain specifications which had to be met and the Withnell site was chosen by MAFF as a site that could safely accept these animals.

"It is lined, which means there is no danger of pollution, water leaks or gas leaks. All carcasses are disinfected before they arrive and so are the vehicles and again before leaving. A hole is dug and when the carcasses arrive they are buried immediately three metres down."

A spokesman for MAFF assured farmers that there was nothing to worry about, but dairy farmer David Fisher, whose land is nearby, said: "I wish I could believe that. All farmers round here are worried."

Withnell was the location for the first foot and mouth outbreak in Lancashire. Arthur Pooley had to slaughter 1,000 sheep when the disease took hold at his Ollerton Farm, in Ollerton Lane, in February."

A MAFF spokesman said: "All the carcasses have been inspected by vets prior to burial and we assure farmers that there is absolutely nothing to worry about, they are free from foot and mouth."