A six-week consultation period on proposals for sand extraction in west Norfolk could be extended, after campaigners pledged to continue their fight against the plans.

Norfolk County Council has identified six areas where silica sand extraction would be a possibility, including land between Snettisham and Dersingham, near the RSPB nature reserve.

Concerns have been raised by residents about the effect on traffic, noise, tourism and dust, and Dersingham Parish Council is lodging a formal objection on environmental and highways grounds.

Nearly 200 residents attended a meeting set up by Dersingham Parish Council this week.

Afterwards, Stuart Dark, spokesman for the campaign group, Wash Against Silica Pit (WASP), said the fight would continue, and called on the county council to extend the consultation period beyond June 27.

Their case is being backed by North West Norfolk MP Sir Henry Bellingham, who said: 'I'm appalled at what's going on. This would be a blot on the landscape and would increase vehicle movements.'

A spokesman for Norfolk County Council said the authority would consider any requests it received to extend the consultation period.

A spokesman added: 'Assuming the six large areas we have identified are approved by the planning inspector at a formal examination in public, and that the silica sand review is then adopted by the county council, it is by no means certain sand extraction would take place at sites within these areas.

'Anyone wishing to extract silica sand in the county would still have a number of hoops to jump through including getting the landowner's permission and planning consent.'

The RSPB in Norfolk is looking at the proposals, a spokesman said.

Are you opposed to proposals put forward by the county council? Email david.bale2@archant.co.uk