HUNDREDS of people turned out to protest against moves to build a steel works on open fields between Blackburn and Chorley.

Developers are planning to build a steel-making plant opposite the recently completed Mormon temple at Wheelton.

Residents are furious and a steering group has been formed to fight the plan. They say the factory will create traffic chaos and cause pollution. Campaigners lined the site while aerial photographs were taken to show how big the factory will be.

Janet Ross-Mills, chairman of the steering group, said: "We had a great day and it has been a huge success, hundreds of people came out to support our campaign.

"We are extremely pleased with the way things went. Hundreds of people gave up their Sunday to come out and see what we are doing here."

Chorley Council will have the final say on whether the factory can be built on the site close to junction 8 of the M61.

The factory would cover 10 hectares of land and around a fifth of the area has been set aside as green belt land.

The council has safeguarded the rest of the site in a bid to protect it from the developers.

The council's planning committee looks set to turn down the application but the company is likely to appeal.

Campaigners have vowed to fight to the end. Janet Ross-Mills said: "We will not give in and we will campaign for as long as we have to.

"The issue upsets me greatly and the whole thing makes me very angry."

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