Campaigners today sent out a defiant message to bosses of Canatxx as D-Day approaches on the American company's plans to store 1.2 million tonnes of gas under the River Wyre.

Fylde coast residents – who have dubbed the £300m storage plant unwanted and unsafe – are calling on county councillors to follow planning officers' recommendations and refuse the application.

Those leading the fight say the underground storage scheme could spark a major disaster and have slammed Canatxx for not addressing serious safety concerns.

But they realise the battle is not over yet and are preparing to fight their corner at a development control committee meeting at County Hall on Wednesday.

The plans were originally thrown out by the Government in 2007, only for the Texan firm to return.

Joan Humble, MP for Fleetwood and Blackpool North, said: "Lancashire County Council should refuse the application for the same reasons it was refused when Canatxx previously put it forward.

"This isn't a political party matter, it's not a 'nimby' matter, it's about the practicality of the proposal.

"The fear of explosions is a serious fear because Canatxx has not given any detail in their application. Canatxx has not offered any reassurances."

Those against the proposal say the firm has failed to address the main issues – the suitability of Preesall's geology and Canatxx's health and safety planning – which were raised by the Government's planning inspector during the 2007 public inquiry.

For a double page spread on Canatxx see Monday's Gazette.