The plant, planned for an industrial estate near Madley, would be capable of treating and recycling the county's household waste.

John Harrison, from the campaign group Waste Watchers, says the local group has been formed to provide a focus for concern about the impact of the plant.

Last year a bid to develop a waste incinerator in neighbouring Worcestershire failed.

Facing problem

But waste managers still face the problem of how to deal with the estimated 300,000 tonnes of rubbish produced in the two counties each year.

The plans have been put forward by Estech Europe Ltd, based in Aldridge, West Midlands.

The proposed hi-tech waste treatment plant in Herefordshire could treat around 100,000 tonnes a year, which would include all of Herefordshire's kerbside collections and some from Worcestershire as well.

The company has applied for planning permission to build the site and council environmental officers and the waste collection contractor Severn Waste have backed the plans.

A planning decision is expected early next year.