QUARRY company Tarmac has submitted a revised planning application for sand and gravel extraction at a controversial site in North Yorkshire.

Local campaigners, concerned about the potential effect on archaeological remains, are opposing the plans for land at Ladybridge Farm, near the Thornborough henges ancient monument site between Bedale and Ripon.

Tarmac believed the development would safeguard the livelihoods of workers and hauliers at the nearby Nosterfield quarry, where supplies will soon be exhausted.

The company's first application for Ladybridge was rejected by county councillors in February, but Tarmac has now submitted a new application which eliminates a contentious area of the site.

It reduces the proposed area of extraction from 45 to 31 hectares and avoids the south western section of Ladybridge to address concerns raised in February by the county council and English Heritage about its archaeological value.

Tarmac estates manager Bob Nicholson said: ''We believe this revised application serves to demonstrate that we understand the concerns of the community, the county council and English Heritage.''