A TOP professor from a Sheffield hospital has backed the campaign against a controversial green waste site near Hood Green.

Prof Tony Clark, a senior clinical microbiologist, says the industrial-scale compost plans should be abandoned because they pose a serious health risk to some residents.

Prof Clark of Barnsley Road, Silkstone, said the site was too close to nearby villages and local footpaths and could cause the potentially deadly lung disease, aspergillus.

He said: "The Barnsley area with its history of smokers, ex-miners and widespread bronchial tendency reveals a high number of susceptible people.

"The composting pile acts as a prolific incubation bed for the aspergillus fungus. Victims will then inhale the tasteless and odourless spores and it could be fatal to some with already compromised respiratory function."

The Chronicle reported earlier this month that asthmatic, Robert Stendall, of Cumberland Drive, Ardsley, had half a lung removed because of aspergillus. He believes a compost transfer site at Grange Lane could be to blame for exposing him to spores.

Coun Bill Newman, council spokesman for development, said there was no reported evidence of significant increases in ill health near composting sites.