FOUR Weddings and a Funeral actress Charlotte Coleman could have been saved by revolutionary treatment which could be put into practice at Winsford Rock Salt Mine, claim protesters.
The talented actress, who played Hugh Grant's flat-mate in the box office smash hit film, died of a severe asthma attack last week.
But had she been given an alternative form of natural therapy which relies on the quality of air in salt caverns like the one in Winsford, Charlotte could still be alive today, claims protest group RAMP.
Charlotte was named in the public inquiry into whether Minosus should be allowed to dump toxic waste in the mine.
RAMP - Residents Against Mine Pollution - believes the atmosphere of the mine would be perfect for the revolutionary treatment Speleotherapy.
But should the plan to create Britain's first underground toxic waste dump be given the go-ahead, the opportunity to ease the lot of asthma sufferers and potentially save lives would be lost, say members.
RAMP spokesman Julian Ross, of Moulton, told the inquiry into the scheme, held at Wyvern House: 'Asthma is a common and increasing ailment in the UK.
It is often perceived as simply wheeziness, but it is often more serious - my daughter has been hospitalised twice because of it and tragically actress Charlotte Coleman died from a severe asthma attack a few days ago.
'An alternative to the available drugs is a treatment called Speleotherapy that relies on the quality of air in salt caverns.
'Speleotherapy is the use of subterranean environments as a therapeutic measure in the treatment of chronic obstructive airways diseases. This is little known in the UK but practised in Eastern and Central Europe.
'Clinical trials have demonstrated positive effects on lung function. But if toxic waste is dumped in the mine it is difficult for me to believe it could be used for anything else.'
Minosus was unavailable for coment.
