LOSTOCK councillor Stuart Russell is hoping to send a clear message to the Government with a 500-signature petition opposing the building of an incinerator in the area.

Vale Royal Borough Clr Russell handed over the petition, which he collected over the summer, to Tatton MP George Osborne earlier this month.

He is backing the Cheshire Anti-Incinerator Network (CHAIN) campaign to prevent an incinerator being built in the region.

The Cheshire Replacement Waste Local Plan has identified a site off Griffiths Road in Lostock as being suitable for a 'thermal treatment' plant.

Clr Russell said: "I think this will send the message that we don't want the incinerator. I've not met a soul that wants it to be built.

"Waste management is a big problem but I'm sure there's something we can do to waste other than burn it and have pollution scattered over our houses."

Mr Osborne will be handing over the petition to the Government this week at the House of Commons.

He said: "It's a powerful sign of what local people think about incinerators. I've been with them all the way and written to Cheshire County Council to tell them how strongly I oppose it."

He said the Government was forcing the county council's hand and pushing them into introducing incinerators.

He said: "Unless we fight as a community we may find that an incinerator is built. It's not something that will just affect people in the immediate vicinity - the emissions will go all across Northwich."