Devon County Council has been accused of a 'huge foul up' after it sparked fears that a waste incinerator could be built at Newton Abbot's Brunel Road Industrial Estate.

The authority wrote to homes and businesses in the area last week saying the site, along with Heathfield, Kingsteignton, was one of several being considered for new facilities which could generate heat and power from rubbish.

A spokesman said at the time it was 'far too early' to say if incineration was an option, the news described by County Cllr Gordon Hook as 'the biggest thing to hit Newton Abbot since the Luftwaffe'.

County Hall has since said there are no plans to build an incinerator but the mixed messages have angered town council member Cllr Neil Wilson. <