RESIDENTS protesting about dust from a recycling plant feel they were "gagged" at a public meeting when the recycling company brought a solicitor with them

The residents had complained that dust from a reprocessing plant was covering neighbours' cars and washing and getting in their eyes and throats.

The public meeting was held last week in a bid to resolve a number of issues that residents in Horwich have with Armstrong Environmental.

But residents were disappointed when the company's representative arrived with a solicitor and then refused to answer any questions.

Jackie Smith, of Tredgold Street, Horwich said: "They brought their solicitor, which sort of gagged everybody. One resident said she didn't want to say anything in case she got sued."

She said residents were angry about a huge woodpile outside the factory and complained that the company was operating 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week.

Now, Mrs Smith and her neighbours have spoken to Bolton Council about forming a residents' association.

"We are going to form a residents' group because we are not getting anywhere," said Mrs Smith.

Cllr David Wilkinson, executive member for the environment, chaired the meeting on Tuesday night.

He said: "Some residents were upset about Armstrongs coming with a solicitor and people had to be careful about what they said. Some people felt intimidated by that."

The company, based on the Locomotion Industrial Estate, off Chorley New Road, reprocesses waste materials, including large amounts of timber and has a huge pile of wooden pallets in clear view of many neighbouring houses.

The council is waiting for test results of dust samples taken from nearby houses over the summer. The Health and Safety Executive is also in the process of testing dust samples for its own investigation.

But Cllr Wilkinson said it was difficult for the council to take action against Armstrongs because the type of work carried out at the site does not require permission from the council.

Joe Major, business development manager at Armstrong Environmental, said: "We have taken on board everything the people have said and we will now respond in writing to all the points they raised."