A SHOWDOWN between Euxton residents and county planners following proposals for a sand and gravel quarry off Runshaw Lane will take place early next year.

A public enquiry into the scheme will be held on February 24 after a petition with 2,500 signatures was handed in at County Hall.

Head of the council's mineral and waste plan, John Geldard, confirmed: "The public enquiry has been set, but before that there will be a pre-enquiry meeting to consider any changes the council may wish to make to satisfy objectors."

Several hundred Euxton homeowners turned out for a public meeting at The Park nightclub, Charnock Richard, last week, where they were brought up-to-date by committee members.

According to spokesperson Norma Huddy, many of the residents were anxious to give the campaign a financial boost: "People accepted the fact we were asking for money from every household and some were actually pledging more than we asked for.

"Obviously, the people who didn't come along must feel they're not affected. But if there's a 20 foot pile of sand blowing about in the wind, everyone will know about it!"

Local action group ERASE is hoping to organise fund-raising events over the coming months including a non-uniform day at the village's four primary schools.

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