A junior council officer knew burnt animal remains were to be buried in Colchester.

But the council was kept in the dark, and on Wednesday night concerned councillor Terry Sutton (Lib Dem, Berechurch) wanted to know whether the officer would be disciplined.

Disinfected ash from 1,750 sheep, 96 cattle and two pigs slaughtered because of foot-and-mouth fears was buried in a 100m by 30m pit in the Middlewick Ranges off Mersea Road.

When the Maff measures came to light, members of Colchester Council were angry that neither they nor residents had been told about them.

Mr Sutton, speaking at the full council meeting, said: "I was assured that the borough council hadn't heard anything about it at all, and therefore I mentioned this to the press.

"Subsequently I spoke to Maff again and they informed me a meeting did take place on April 5 and an officer of the council was there."

Christopher Arnold (Con, Great and Little Horkesley), portfolio holder for environment and transport, said he would investigate.

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