Protesters are hoping for a huge turnout to descend on Essex County Hall in opposition to the council's plans for dealing with its waste in the future.

Residents of Stanway and Old Heath will be attending the rally in Chelmsford to voice their concerns over the possibility of their neighbourhoods housing major waste management facilities and possibly incinerators.

Opposition to the council's controversial waste management plan is set to present a united voice at 10am on Saturday on the steps of County Hall at the rally organised by Friends of the Earth.

The plan has already been put back by six months under the weight of opposition.

A spokesman for the Old Heath Environmental Protection Association said: "This is the big one to push the disastrous waste plan over the edge.

"It is absolutely vital the turnout on the 13th is strong to show that the people of Essex won't let their county become the dustbin of England."

Campaigners in both Old Heath and Stanway are organising some transport to get to Chelmsford on Saturday. For information call 01206 794469 for Old Heath, and 330474, 549037 or 560549 for Stanway.

The one-hour rally will be followed by a seminar at Chelmsford's Cramphorn Theatre with limited tickets at £3.

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