Ministers have been told in Parliament that Norfolk County Council would be 'mad' to build a proposed incinerator near King's Lynn.

North West Norfolk MP Henry Bellingham made the comments during a debate he called in the House of Commons today.

The incinerator at Saddlebow was approved by the county council in June, but has faced significant opposition from local residents.

In the debate Mr Bellingham discussed substances the incinerator may release into the atmosphere, such as mercury and lead, which he argued did not naturally break down.

He said: 'I would suggest that it would be mad to locate this facility upwind of a population centre, up wind of very valuable agricultural and horticulture.

'What I want to say to the county council is just have a look at the potential damage, look at the precautionary principle and do not put a blight on our homes, on our habitats.'

Mr Bellingham went on to say that Norfolk's chances of attracting new life sciences businesses, seen as a key part of the county's future economy, would also be put at risk by the facility.

He added: 'I believe there are cheaper better and more modern and more exciting alternatives which command public support.'

Mr Bellingham called the debate to set out the case against the incinerator in advance of a public inquiry next month which is due to explore whether proposals to build it should be approved.

For the full story see tomorrow's Eastern Daily Press.