ENVIRONMENTAL pressure group The Air That We Breathe is considering taking its fight against burning waste fuel in Westbury to the European courts.

Lafarge Cement will begin a six-month trial burning recycled liquid fuel (RLF) at its Westbury works this summer, despite widespread opposition from TATWB.

The cement firm maintains RLF is safe to use and the trial has been backed by the Environment Agency. TATWB says RLF is a health hazard and claim the UK Government appears not to be listening to its protest, prompting the group to consider a new offensive.

Last year the Government revised its Substitute Fuels Protocol, which controls substances companies such as Lafarge can burn.

TATWB chairman David Levy said the new protocol "stripped away the rights of consultation for the public" and meant more hazardous waste could be burnt without public knowledge.

Mr Levy said: "I can see the case for challenge having to be mounted in Europe rather than in this country, which is promoting our environmental downfall.

"The battle is uphill with several of the most important battles already won by this disgraceful policy. Like England during the 1940s we may stand alone, but the war is decidedly not over."

The Environment Agency, which allowed Lafarge to burn RLF, is monitoring air quality at sites around Westbury before, during and after this summer's trial.

Mr Levy said: "It is difficult to see how the Environment Agency can provide a year's proper base line information when they have not been to inspect the ambient air monitoring stations."

West Wiltshire District Council is trying to convene a community liaison group to discuss and raise concerns that arise from the trial.

Westbury Works manager Ral Simard said: "The use of alternative fuels in cement kilns is safe, proven technology which is well established in Europe, including the UK, and beyond for the last 20 years. The comprehensive air-quality monitoring programme was a requirement of the Environment Agency to provide additional data on air quality in the Westbury area. It is unrelated to our future plans for the use of alternative fuels.

"The programme will record all local pollution in the area from sources including traffic, heating and industrial processes."