A GROUP today demanded an end to the use of poultry waste as fertiliser on farmland around Holmfirth, amid fears over bird flu.

Animal rights campaigners say they have evidence of tons of poultry waste being dumped on fields around the Summer Wine area.

The waste - traditionally used as manure - is alleged to contain rotting bird carcases and feathers, as well as tons of faeces.

The Netherlands and France are expected to be given European Union today permission to start vaccinating poultry flocks against bird flu.

Barring last-minute hitches the controversial decision will be taken by EU veterinary experts who have been meeting in Brussels for two days to consider stepping up controls as the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus spreads across Europe.

Locally, Animal Aid experts say there are fears that bird flu can be spread through faeces.