VILLAGERS have reacted with horror at the news their home was once considered as a potential toxic waste dump.

South Cerney was one of the places identified by Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive (Nirex) as a suitable site for disposing nuclear materials.

The Nirex report used information released under the Freedom of Information act to give the details of all 573 locations, including South Cerney.

Although South Cerney was not eventually chosen Nirex has not ruled out the chance of it being reconsidered again saying : "The geology in the UK has not changed so sites that were considered to be potentially suitable previously on geological grounds could be considered suitable in a future site selection process.

"In short, the look of any future list cannot be predicted at this stage and no sites can be ruled in or out at this point."

This news has been met with shock from the people who live in and around the village, which won the Bledisloe Cup for best kept village last year and is in the running for a national competition this year.

Maurice McKee, clerk of South Cerney Parish Council, could not believe the village was considered as a toxic waste dump.

He said: "I'm gobsmacked, nobody wants it in their back yard and I don't think we are any different. We wouldn't wish it on anybody.

"It would be a shock if it happened. It has to go somewhere but hopefully not here. I hope it doesn't happen."

His views were shared by Gloucestershire County Councillor Shaun Parsons who said: "I'm horrified that this is going on, particularly when we are trying so hard to maintain the wildlife there. I'm speechless really."

Mike Stuart, chair of the parish council, said he could not imagine the village being considered in the future.

He said: "If they decided they were going to do that sort of thing they would face so much opposition from people in the village.

"Thirty years ago things were much different; the Green party weren't heard of and people were still reeling over the Cold War but now there would be one hell of a fight on their hands now. I can't see it happening."

Mr Stuart also pointed out that although the geology of the area had not changed significantly the geography of around South Cerney had, most notably the expansion of Swindon and the development of the Cotswold Water Park, therefore the suitability of South Cerney had also changed.

His views were shared by Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown who said: "It would be absolutely horrifying but I think it would be highly unlikely because it's quite close to Swindon."

Clive Perkins, chairman of the Cirencester Branch of Friends of the Earth, said the Nirex list highlighted a major problem.

He said: "I think the issue for Friends of the Earth is not a local issue, it's a national and international issue, we don't want to see it anywhere.

"Nobody wants this stuff whether it's South Cerney or the middle of London. There's no good place to put it."

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire County Council admitted any plans to dispose of nuclear waste in the county would not be dealt with by local authorities as it was regarded as a Mandatory Schedule One Environmental Impact situation.