A villager has gained legal aid for a High Court challenge to big business and Government plans for a new landfill tip.

Maureen Smith is leading the latest round in Denholme residents' fight to block plans by Integrated Waste Management (IWM) for the waste site in Buck Park Quarry, Whalley Lane.

She is backed by Denholme Residents' Action Group (DRAG) which has paid for the work needed to get her legal aid.

Arguments about the tip plan have raged for more than two years and are now set to be heard at London's High Court on October 27.

Mrs Smith, 60, said: "I've lived in Denholme for 27 years and don't want a landfill in the village with all its smells and traffic - why should we be left with everyone's rubbish?

"This is not just for me. I've got grandchildren and I don't want them to have to put up with a landfill, especially when you see how the site at nearby Cullingworth has gone out of control. I'm sure we can win."

But Mrs Smith's solicitor Fatema Patwa warned: "This development is worth millions of pounds and courts are not quick to stop such projects.

"Statistics show it is very hard for objectors to succeed in opposing large developments but, in my view, Mrs Smith's case is quite good."

Bradford Council first granted then denied IWM permission for the tip before a Government Inspector backed the plan in March.

Mrs Smith is appealing on the grounds that the inspector could have refused the bid because of smell and noise from the site, which he said was a matter for the Environment Agency. She also argues final plans have not been produced to show how IWM aims to minimise these problems.

A spokesman for DRAG said: "We had a fun day last month which raised more than £1,200 and will help cover Mrs Smith's initial bills."

David Senior, an adviser to DRAG, said: "This is a real breakthrough, enabling us to proceed with the statutory appeal and indicating that our case is considered strong enough to receive support from the taxpayer."

A spokesman for IWM said it had no comment to make.