HOMEOWNERS in Throckmorton who claim their properties have plummeted in value after 130,000 carcases were buried there, have been dealt another bombshell by DEFRA.

People living behind the village's former RAF base locked horns with the Government department after claiming the mass foot-and-mouth burial site had caused the value of their houses to plunge.

The homeowners, who have called for DEFRA to purchase their properties at market value before the burials, have put their houses up for sale to prove they cannot now be sold.

After three months, not one has been sold.

But in a letter to Mid Worcestershire MP Peter Luff, Parliamentary secretary for the Department of the environment, food and rural affairs, Elliot Morley, stated DEFRA would not purchase the houses as the expense "could not be justified."

However, in January the Government department bought two houses which backed on to the burial site for a rumoured £475,000.

"Anyone with any humanity would have understood that these people have had absolute misery inflicted by them because of two decisions made by the Government," said Mr Luff.

"It is the Government's fault and it must get them out of the hole they have put these people in. It must step in and help these people."

Richard Mott, who lives behind the burial pits, said the threat of the asylum centre was an "insult to injury" but had not altered the fact houses prices initially plummeted because of the graves.

"We were in dispute with DEFRA before the asylum centre became an issue and you cannot change that," he said.

Those affected by the burial site are due to hold a meeting tonight to discuss possible action against DEFRA.

A DEFRA spokeswoman said Mr Morley's letter to Mr Luff covered the department's response.

"While we do have sympathy for the residents we haven't got a liability and cannot justify the commitment of public money," she added.