People in Essex could be affected by noxious gases from waste incinerators outside the county, it has been claimed.

As thousands of residents protest at the possibility of burner plants being established at sites around the county, a warning has been issued that they could be affected by those built in London, Kent and neighbouring areas.

A public inquiry is looking into the Essex and Southend waste plan which highlights eight proposed management sites - including Rayleigh and Pitsea.

No details have yet been agreed on the type of process to be developed at each site.

A letter from the Environment Agency detailing comments on the outline waste plan has now been released.

It states: "Essex has been conveniently compartmentalised, from which the perspective of air quality is somewhat unrealistic.

"The intentions of the immediate neighbouring counties and London should be taken into account as it is likely that Essex may well become a net importer of substances released into the air from incineration processes."

This comment shocked Ian Edwards, the chartered surveyor representing Rayleigh town and Rawreth parish councils in their protests against the proposed waste management site at Rayleigh sub station.

He said: "I have not heard this mentioned before.

"Not only need we be concerned about emissions from possible incinerators in Essex, but also about those in other areas."

The letter, sent to the council in January, also points out plus points for public release regarding the use of incineration.

It reads: "Within the advantages section there could be come mention of the fact that generating electricity from municipal waste reduces the amount of fossil fuel powered generation elsewhere.

"The virtues of the inert nature of the residues for landfilling arising from the incinerators could also be stated."

"Potential odour/dust nuisance from unloading waste lorries is obviated as this activity is conducted indoors at an incinerator with foul air being consumed in the furnaces."

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