ANTI-incinerator protesters launched a 20ft balloon 85 metres into the air to drive home their message.

Villagers from Ardley, near Bicester, say a chimney, which would be built as part of the £100m incinerator, will be an eyesore and detrimental to the surrounding countryside.

On Monday, Oxfordshire County Council’s planning committee will decide whether to grant permission to Viridor Waste to build the incinerator.

Last month, the council’s cabinet chose Ardley over a rival project proposed for Sutton Courtenay as the scheme it favoured to deal with the county’s waste. If planning permission is granted, 300,000 tonnes of waste from Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties will be burnt there every year.

A planning application for the Sutton Courtenay incinerator will also be heard on Monday.

Both have been recommended for approval, although the Sutton Courtenay scheme is seen as a back-up plan.

Chairman of Ardley Against the Incinerator Jonathan O’Neill said: “The balloon was to replicate Viridor’s proposal.

“If they build the chimney 85 metres tall, this is how it will look.”

Thursday’s balloon launch marked a day of protests to tie in with a site visit by the 15 councillors who will make the planning decision.

On Monday, a coach-load of residents will travel to County Hall in Oxford for the meeting.