Protesters were today stepping up their fight against plans for a 1,000-cattle dairy unit in a village near Welshpool.

They fear plans by Leighton farmer Fraser Jones to extend his business could spell the end of the village school. But Mr Jones says if his scheme is turned down it could put him out of business.

Campaigners against the scheme are holding a public meeting tonight.

The planned site is next door to Leighton Primary School and governors, staff and parents are worried about the impact of a huge intensive unit, around 100 yards away, on pupils.

A banner outside the school, where tonight’s meeting takes place at 7pm, reads: “Save Our School”.

One of the protest organisers, Holly Dyer, who runs the village playgroup on the school site, said: “Tonight’s meeting will be people’s last chance to voice their opposition to this factory farm on our doorstep because the consultation ends on Friday.

“The opposition in the community to this plan is immense.

“Basically from the school’s point of view siting a unit like this right up against the school means we are worried about increased flies, increased smell, slurry spread throughout the year, increased noise and increased traffic from delivery lorries.”

She added: “There is also a five to 10-year building plan that would mean more noise and traffic close to the school for all that time.

“The effect will be phenomenal and we do worry that people will stop sending their children here.”

Miss Dyer said a petition against the plan has already been signed by more than 100 people but objectors were being asked to contact Powys County Council by letter too.

However, Mr Jones said his scheme would create up to seven new jobs and that if it was turned down he could go out of business.

He added that he had carried out extensive research and looked into all possible risks that could come with such a development.

His application includes a rotary milking parlour, livestock cubicle buildings, storage and landscaping.

He has also expressed an interest in putting an anaerobic digester on the site to limit odour emissions and provide a renewable energy source for the community.