FURIOUS homeowners in Throckmorton could take legal action against DEFRA for sanctioning the mass burial of animal carcasses yards from their homes.

At a meeting held last night, people living next to the village's former RAF base vowed to continue their fight against the Government department if it refused to purchase their homes.

The residents claim their houses have plummeted in value after 130,000 culled animals were buried at the former airbase during the foot-and-mouth crisis.

And they have been dealt a fresh blow when the Home Office revealed plans to build a massive asylum seekers' centre on the site.

Three months ago residents living alongside the base, who have called for DEFRA to purchase their homes at the market price before the burials took place, put their homes up for sale to prove their case.

Since then, not one has sold.

Yesterday the Evening News revealed that Parliamentary secretary for the Department of the Environment, Food and Fisheries, Elliot Morley, had written to Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff saying the houses would not be bought as the cost "could not be justified".

Residents at last night's meeting agreed not to take any action until they had all had an official reply from the Government department.

"If we are not satisfied with the answer we get we will be looking to take action against DEFRA," said Peter Green, speaking on behalf of villagers.

"Under the Human Rights Act, we believe we have a case against the Government for taking away our right to enjoy our property and its value.

"If the value of our houses becomes nothing, the Government has effectively stolen our homes as they are worthless through their actions."

Residents added they could not understand why the Government department was refusing to purchase their homes when it purchased two neighbouring houses.

Villager Angela Gregg said the group of homeowners could not afford to give up the fight for compensation.

"These houses are everything we have," she said.

"Our working lives are in these properties, we will not give up our fight."

Mother of two Gaynor Moynihan said she and her children, aged three and seven, were unable to join her husband who is currently working in Holland because they cannot sell their house.

"The burial pits have meant our family cannot now be together," she said.

n More than 1,000 people are expected to join a mass protest against the asylum seekers' centre tomorrow.

The rally, supported by actress and former 80s pop star Toyah Willcox who has a home in Pershore, marks the beginning of a new campaign to stop the scheme.

It has been organised by PACT - Protest at the Asylum Centre at Throckmorton and starts at noon.