UNDERGROUND dumps are the safest way to deal with waste in the future, claims the head of a company dedicated to creating Britain's first such facility.

Minosus, the company behind the bid to put about 100,000 tonnes of toxic waste deep in Winsford Rock Salt Mine every year, says the plan is the best way to cope with new European legislation ­ laws which will dictate how Britain can dispose of its waste and will be enforced by 2004.

Managing director Roger Shaw says the new legislation on waste disposal will spell the end of landfill waste dump sites.

He said: 'At the moment, household wastes, industrial waste and hazardous waste are disposed of together in landfill sites. It is known as co-dispersal.

'Bacteria gathers and as the rain falls, it washes through the mix of materials, picking up any contamination, and that will gather at the bottom of the site.

'That will be extremely polluted water, which is pumped out and treated to make it harmless.

'But now Europe is banning the mixing of inert waste, household waste and hazardous waste.'

Mr Shaw said the new laws mean that separate landfill sites will need to be found for toxic waste.

But he adds that the new above-ground waste sites pose a greater risk to public health.

'Without the bacteria from household waste to wash through the dump, there is more of a risk of contamination.

'Landfill sites are sealed with lead, but if there is a breach of the hold, toxic waste could be washed out in the environment.

'We believe storing the waste underground is a safer option than on the surface.

'All of the waste would be going in landfill sites anyway. Anything that can be recycled we would not take.

'But you cannot recycle everything and there's always going to have to be somewhere to put the waste.'

Mr Shaw said there is pubic 'misconception' about the waste which will be stored in the mine.

'Computers have to be disposed of as toxic waste,' he said.

'Many products you find in people's homes are classed as toxic. But just because something is toxic it doesn't mean the whole of the product is harmful.

'All the toxic waste we receive will be dry. We won't take any liquid, so there is no danger of it spilling.

'The waste will be sealed in drums before it is taken 560 feet underground for storage.

'We will then be responsible for the waste and will be required by law to make sure it is contained safely.

'In 20 years the site will be full and sealed off. We will only have a 20-year licence to dispose of waste.'

The Environment Agency will be involved at every stage of the process and Government inspectors will regulate both the type of waste that comes in and how it is sealed.