The public will be able to quiz officials about plans for an opencast mine at a public meeting tonight.

The meeting in Measham has been organised by County Hall to discuss UK Coal plans to begin mining at its 321-acre Minorca site. The company wants permission to extract 1.25m tonnes of coal and 250,000 tonnes of fireclay from the former colliery site, off Gallows Lane.

The public meeting will begin at 7pm in St Laurence Church Hall, off Main Street.

County council officers will answer questions and people will be able to see the planning application.

Steve Leary, chairman of Minorca Opencast Protest Group, said: "It is very important people turn out in large numbers. It is the only chance they will have to voice their objections directly to those planning officers and members who will make the final decision."

Opponents said they were concerned about dust from the mine, traffic and noise from blasting.

UK Coal said the mine was needed to help cut the country's reliance on imported energy supplies.