FURIOUS farmers in Northwich face fresh fears amid allegations that foot and mouth-infected carcasses are being brought through the area without adequate safety measures.

Lorries carrying animal carcasses are travelling from all over the country to a rendering plant in Widnes - straight through Cheshire.

Farmers believe the vehicles could spread disease into the air in one of the last remaining disease-free rural counties.

Weaverham County Councillor Nora Stopford has been inundated with calls from worried farmers.

"It's disgraceful that this is happening without proper consultation.

"I've been on the phone to farmers all weekend who are very worried, and rightly so, when we hear that it is just loose tarpaulin covering the carcasses.

"We had the worst of it in Cheshire in 1967 and to be put at further risk when we are currently disease-free is madness."

Meanwhile, Cheshire County Council has taken up the cause and gone straight to the top.

In a fax to Prime Minister Tony Blair, council leader Derek Bateman said: "We must request urgent clarification on the measures surrounding the transportation of foot and mouth-infected carcasses through the county.

"Trading standards officers, despite trying for two days, have been unable to ascertain whether these carcasses are being transported in 'sealed' vehicles as indicated by yourself on national television."

Deputy leader David Lloyd Griffiths added: "Without acceptable reassurances and safeguards continuation of this practice is bizarre and will be seen to seriously threaten the safety and future of one of Britain's leading agricultural counties."