RESIDENTS are furious after discovering that off- road rallying is to return to a farm that neighbours their homes.

Two years ago the owner of Hartnoll Farm, Tiverton, John Clapp, promised residents he would not be holding anymore off-roading events after they complained of dust and noise from an East Devon Off-Road Club rally.

Locals had claimed that the noise from the competing vehicles had been considerable even behind double glazing and that plumes of red dust had filled the valley obscuring visibility on lanes and covered their homes.

However, off-roading is due to return to the venue on August 16 and 17 when the fourth round of the 2008 MSA British Cross-Country Championship takes place at the farm.

Ray and Marian Blackwell of Post Hill organised the residents' petition after the event in 2006.

Mrs Blackwell said: "We were devastated when we found out that rallying was coming back.

"I suffer from asthma and a lot of the people who live around here are elderly. Last time there was so much dust we could not even see the apple trees at the end of our garden.

In a letter to the Gazette in October 2006 Mr Clapp said: "I would like to apologise to my neighbours for any upset which the event may have caused. I will not be holding any events of this nature here at Hartnoll in the future."

Mr Blackwell said: "Our neighbours have rung the council but no one has returned our calls. Last time a lot of people rang the council but no one came out to see the problems. We feel powerless as what he is doing is legal. We just cannot believe that one man is able to upset so many people and get away with it. Residents from miles away were contacting us before to ask to sign the petition. Who knows what the wind will be like for the next event and whether this will become regular."

Mid Devon District Council Environmental Health officer Gordon McGovern said: "The problem with the event two years ago was mainly to do with dust coming from the land.

"The event organiser has been in touch with us to let us know that if the land does dry out this week they will use a bowser to suppress any dust. The organisers will also check that noise from vehicles does not exceed recommended levels."

Paul Leworthy, who works in Tiverton, will be taking part in the event. He says that the event will be positive for the area.

He said: "Firstly, there will not be a dust problem this year as the ground is so wet from the rain. Organisers are expecting around 1,000 spectators and it is a great opportunity to promote the town.

"Car parking fees will be donated to the Exeter Leukaemia Fund and the Air Ambulance. In 2006 over £2,000 was raised."

Mr Clapp was unavailable for comment.