FURIOUS opponents to speedway plans near Weymouth have accused supporters of sparking rifts in the community.

A row erupted after promoter Brian White sent a flyer to Chickerell residents, urging support for speedway plans in Buckland Ripers.

He claimed that people living in Buckland Ripers refused to help them in opposing the controversial waste transfer site in 2001.

The flyer reads: "Please do not help those 'across the valley' as they did not care one iota about you."

Outraged Tatton resident Hartirath Dhillon said: "This is twisting the issue and trying to cause friction between people in Chickerell and Buckland Ripers.

"Although we live across the valley, we do not think in terms of them and us, we think of ourselves as one parish and all work together.

"For instance, I have donated £250 towards the Chickerell playing field, my wife works voluntarily at Chickerell Primary School, and we fully opposed the waste transfer site.

"We support the Chickerell youth club, fete, carnival, post office, pub, footpaths and also took part in the Millennium Scheme."

Mr Dhillon, 56, also claimed there were other contradictions in the flyer.

He added: "It says the proposed site is more than half-a-mile away from the nearest property, but according to the ordnance survey map, at least 20 residents live within that radius.

"He sent an e-mail to borough councillors saying the area could be used for gymkhanas and dog shows - that does not sit with the flyer which says speedway would only be running for two hours a week.

"I also understand he has plans for 500 cars to be parked there, which could remain in the area for up to eight hours.

"All he wants is planning permission and he is saying anything to get it."

But Brian White, 35, said: "It's absolute twaddle - the flyer tells the truth, and obviously the truth hurts.

"I am not geeing-up Chickerell residents, these people should do their homework before knocking the speedway plans.

"I have done everything possible to counter the traffic problems - the adjoining field is used for the pony club, but where are the complaints about horse boxes and 4x4s using the roads?

"People wanting to use the speedway track for something else would have to come through me first.

"This is just silly."