CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans to dig an opencast mine in rural north Durham have issued a last-ditch plea to councillors to throw out the scheme.

Durham county councillors are set to debate UK Coal Mining’s proposals to extract more than 500,000 tonnes of coal from the Bradley site, between Leadgate and Dipton, on Tuesday, Febraury 15.

Planning officials have recommended the scheme be approved.

If councillors agree, residents would face more than two years of works.

However, Karen Adamson, from the Pont Valley Network, said: "We are absolutely shocked that the planning officer has recommended it be approved.

"We have represented the communities surrounding the proposed opencast site and have campaigned vociferously against this proposal.

"What people must realise is that if this proposal is accepted, it is only a matter of time before applications to surface mine the whole valley, most of which UK Coal own the mineral rights to, are accepted and the only natural asset this part of Derwentside possesses is lost forever.

"Approving this application would cause significant destruction to wildlife, irreplaceable heritage and quality of life for residents."

UK Coal said the scheme would provide jobs and boost wealth and the firm has pledged to support local projects and activities and road improvements.

Councillors will debate the application on Tuesday at County Hall, Durham, at 2pm.