PLANS for an intensive pig rearing unit near Wirksworth have been described as "horrendous" by worried residents.

Amber Valley Borough Council has received an application to build two agricultural livestock buildings to house up to 2,000 pigs at Ashleyhay.

But residents living nearby fear the unit could be smelly, result in more lorries travelling through the village and would be a blot on the landscape. They met yesterday to discuss how they could fight the proposals.

Sid Keeling, of Barnsley Road, said he believed it would be a nightmare if Amber Valley Borough Council gave the application the go-ahead.

He said: "The roads around here are far too narrow for 44-tonne lorries and the stench of the unit could travel for miles. We're up in arms about it because it could severely damage what is a beautiful landscape."

Jeremy Bate, of Spendlove Farm, added: "This site will be clearly visible by visitors to the National Trust land at Alport Heights and those travelling to Carsington Water and other beauty spots in the area."

Residents are also concerned about noise pollution and the impact of increased traffic using a railway bridge, which Mr Bate said was "structurally unsound".

Villagers plan to submit objections to the council ahead of a decision being made in June.