Villagers are celebrating victory in their six-year fight to stop a rubbish tip being built.

A Government inspector has ruled against a landfill site at Freshfield Brickworks in Danehill, near Horsted Keynes.

He said the application by Cory Environmental would damage protected countryside and threaten road safety.

Freshfield Action Group (FAG), which opposed the proposal which was put to West Sussex County Council, said it was a "victory for common sense".

Chairwoman Elaine Seear said some members got together for champagne and a barbecue when they found out.

She said: "We are all naturally delighted at the result.

"The campaign owes its success to the total commitment of the group's many supporters and for their practical and financial help during a time of stress and anguish for local residents. We all have a feeling of enormous relief."

The group raised a fighting fund of £160,000 for legal representation at the five-week public inquiry.

Money was donated by residents and parish councils in Danehill, Horsted Keynes, Fletching and Lindfield Rural.

Mrs Seear added: "The proposal was always ill conceived. We are all angry that we have been put through this misery unnecessarily."

Nicholas Soames, MP for Mid Sussex, said: "I am absolutely delighted by the wonderful news.

"This decision is the result of a remarkable effort by local people in putting together such a formidable and compelling case.

"It was a wholly unsuitable application and I rejoice for all the local residents whose quality of life will I hope be preserved and enhanced."

Charles Hendry, Wealden MP, added: "This is a great victory, both for the local campaign and for common sense.

"This was always a completely inappropriate site for such a proposal and it should have been withdrawn years ago, which would have avoided so much unnecessary expense and concern.

"There will be a huge sense of relief in Horsted Keynes and Danehill, as well as in the surrounding villages which would also have been affected."

Cory Environmental first applied for landfill use at the brickworks in Freshfield Lane in 2004.

West Sussex County Council did not make a decision within the eight-week time limit so the waste company appealed.

A public inquiry was held earlier this year and the results published this week.

The Inspector's report confirmed serious concerns about the impact of the landfill proposal and the traffic on the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

He believed the increase of HGV traffic would threaten road safety and said residents' lives would suffer.

Lynne Cure, spokesman for Cory Environmental, said: "We are disappointed with the outcome and we are reviewing our position."

Did you campaign against the landfill site plans? Are similar proposals slated for your area? Leave your comments below.