WORRIED homeowners in Throckmorton fear DEFRA could use the proposed asylum seekers' centre as a get-out clause in an on-going dispute over the plummeting value of their homes.

People living alongside the former RAF airbase in the picturesque Worcestershire village claim the burial of nearly 130,000 animal carcasses following last year's foot-and-mouth crisis signalled a bombshell for them.

The homeowners, who now want the Government department to buy their homes at their market value before the burials, have put their homes up for sale to prove how difficult it is to shift them.

After three months, none of the houses has sold.

Richard Mott, who lives behind the burial pits, said he and others along his road now feared DEFRA would try to blame the planned asylum seekers' centre for the loss of value caused by the pits.

"This asylum centre could be an opt-out from blame," he said.

"We are worried that DEFRA may try to blame the asylum centre which is a completely different department."

Tomorrow, 15 villagers are to meet to discuss what action they intend to take against Tuesday's decision to press ahead with plans for an asylum centre in the village as well as problems caused by the burial pits.

Nicola Parker, branch manager of Halifax property services in Pershore said she had not seen any evidence of a fall in property prices.

But Patricia Green, who moved into her Throckmorton home with husband Peter just months before the foot-and-mouth outbreak, hit back.

"When we bought the cottage she had to compete against other perspective purchasers wanting to live in the village," said the 52-year-old.

"Now she cannot find one.

"This is a big issue for people who come to look at the house. People don't want to buy a home so close to the burial pits

"Why would someone buy a property so close to the pits when they could go and buy elsewhere?

"Those people who don't mind want to knock the price down.

''They don't want to take the economic risk that, when they come to move, the house will be difficult to sell."

A spokeswoman for DEFRA confirmed claims had been made by homeowners living near the site which were being "looked at".