Controversial plans to build one or more incinerators in West Sussex are likely to start a fierce debate.

Public consultation into the scheme to burn the county's rubbish promises to be one of the biggest and most comprehensive to be staged by County Hall.

The process got under way at Chichester today as a waste task force met to approve the timetable and the estimated £40,000 budget.

The plan is being drawn up because the county is running out of room to bury rubbish.

People will be asked for their views on incinerators and sites for recycling and composting.

The four sites suggested for an incinerator are Ambion Brickworks in Crawley, the former cement works at Upper Beeding, Wakeham's Farm in Crawley, and land at Portfield, near Chichester.

A wood-burning complex to create electricity was suggested for a site at Bolney woodland in Mid Sussex.

There are 48 sites thought suitable for other waste facilities. The consultation will include the publication of an in-depth report and what the council calls a "popular leaflet".

After the consultation, councillors will examine the results to make a final draft plan, due to be published next August.

A spokesman for Friends of the Earth at Chichester said the organisation would oppose plans for an incinerator at Portfield.

Geoff Miles described the plan as a "disaster" and said too little was known about the effects on health from emissions.