ANXIOUS residents were urged last night to begin an immediate fight against the possibility of two huge gravel pits being developed on the edge of Christchurch.

More than 300 people packed a public meeting in Walkford to hear about the controversial options being considered by Hampshire planners.

And Christchurch council leader Alan Griffiths told them: "We must make enough noise now to this get this away from Christchurch once and for all. If we don't, we may live to regret it."

Fellow Highcliffe councillor Sally Derham Wilkes added: "This would be an environ-mental disaster for the whole borough. We are going to form an action group to oppose it."

Hampshire has drawn up a draft minerals and waste strategy which is currently out for consultation.

Although not site-specific, the plan includes two "identified areas of search" at Walkford Farm and Roeshot Hill, north of the railway line.

The two earmarked sites are within the greenbelt and on the fringe of the New Forest National Park.

Christchurch council has already voiced strong objections but public concern is also running high about increased lorry movements on Christchurch roads, dust, noise, air pollution, the effect on the countryside and property prices and environmental damage.

There are also fears that the two areas would end up as landfill sites, being used for dumping some of Hampshire's household rubbish and commercial waste.

In a letter, Hampshire officials said they were surprised at Christchurch's vociferous reaction so early in the process since no sites had yet been earmarked.

But Cllr Griffiths cautioned against listening to the county's "warm words".

He said: "We are completely and utterly opposed to this and the earlier we object the better."

Walkford resident Christine Wright said the borough was "being dumped on from all corners" and Barbara Kernan said the Walkford option would have a disastrous effect on the nearby Woodland Burial Site.

The Walkford Farm idea was first raised over a decade ago but defeated then by the weight of over 1,000 local objections.

Cllr David Jones told the meeting: "If you fight this now you may lose. But if you don't fight, you will lose."

Comments have to be sent to Hampshire County Council by July 13.