Dozens of protesters from Bexhill gathered to campaign against plans to create a landfill or incinerator near their homes.

The group, mainly made up of pensioners, had travelled more than 25 miles to greet East Sussex county councillors arriving at Pelham House in Lewes, today.

Using the name Bali (Bexhill Against Landfill/Incinerator), they have collected more than 5,700 signatures on a petition which they handed to county councillors before the authority's full council meeting.

The group is protesting about plans to create a rubbish disposal unit at Ashdown Brickworks in Turkey Road, Bexhill.

Their leader, Irena Massarella, who was at the protest, said: "The majority of people in Bexhill were unaware of the plans.

"It was only realised when the second draft deposit of the local plan was published last year. They had originally asked for the site to be taken off the plan but it wasn't."

She said the names on the petition represented more than 10 per cent of the town's population.

Mrs Massarella said: "The site is totally, totally unsuitable. It's approximately 150 to 200m from housing and within a 1,500m radius of more than 7,800 domestic properties, schools and colleges."

Other residents expressed concerns about the unsuitability. A public inquiry into the tip plans is due to start on May 13.