Protesters were devastated to learn Great Harwood’s tip will close – after a last-ditch attempt to save it failed.

County council bosses took the step to close the Household Waste Recycling Plant (HWRC), along with three others in Lancashire to save £520,000 a year.

County Councillor Ciaran Wells spearheaded a move to get the decision called in – but that was thrown out by county hall chiefs on Wednesday night. It is the final nail in the coffin for the site on Alan Ramsbottom Way which will now close in March next year.

Coun Wells said he had originally called for the "terrible" decision to be called in so that county council bosses could hear people’s objections.

He added: "We said the number of responses the county council got to its consultation merited a different decision to the one they gave.

"Also, there was no formal consultation with Hyndburn and a lot of the resultant fly-tipping which will result from this will be on the district’s shoulders. I have a responsibility to do all I can to make sure the service people rely on stays in the area and this decision to close it is one which is letting people down."

The nearest alternative tip is two-and-a-half miles away at Whinney Hill, Altham. It is estimated it would mean an extra 67,000 journeys to Whinney Hill per year. Had they agreed to call it in, it would have gone before county council chiefs – but they would still not have been obliged to follow the recommendations.

A spokesman said the original decision to close four HWRCs including Great Harwood would stand.