GLOUCESTERSHIRE County Council has responded to anti-incinerator protesters who spray-painted the council building on Thursday.

Activist group Rising Up pledged 'acts of civil disobedience' at Gloucestershire County Council to voice their opposition to the incinerator contract at Javelin Park.

Those who took part claim that the planned incinerator is a "grotesque waste of money".

Ray Theodoulou, deputy leader of Gloucestershire County Council, respected their right to protest, but defended the Javelin Park project.

He said: "In Gloucestershire the new energy from waste facility will allow us to treat the rubbish that currently goes to landfill in a clean and efficient way.

"This is great news and will support our aim of 70% recycling across our county as well as reducing the county’s carbon emissions by 40,000 tonnes a year.

"It will save taxpayers over £100 million and generate enough clean electricity to power 25,000 homes at the same time.

“I don’t agree with the protesters or their campaign but I, and the council, support their right to have their say.

"However, we’re pleased they cleaned up their graffiti they sprayed on the reception windows afterwards, as criminal damage is a step too far.”

The paint used was a temporary paint and was cleaned and no criminal damage was caused.

One protester JoJo Mehta from Stroud said: "Every area of the Council's budget has been slashed - except for waste, which is going up because of this awful contract.

"Our public money will literally go up in toxic smoke."