The Save Pentney Action Group (SPAG) set up the demonstration to hammer home their fears the quarry, one of a number proposed in the area, could cause serious illnesses such as silicosis – lung disease caused by inhaling dust containing silica – a claim disputed by mineral companies.

Norfolk County Council identified 32 potential mineral extraction sites across West Norfolk in a controversial consultation document released earlier this year.

SPAG chairman Mr Cliff Smalley said: "It's every parent's right to hand down a healthy and attractive environment as an inheritance to their children. Sadly this right is being stolen away from the people of Pentney.

"We are all happy to enjoy the benefits of mineral extraction in construction of roads and buildings, but Norfolk is a very large place with many wide open spaces. All we ask is they leave our village alone and extract the minerals from a site which won't destroy people's lives."

A number of protest groups have sprung up to fight the plans, which have been drawn up to address the county's sand and gravel needs in the next decade and beyond.

The official public consultation period ended on Friday, April 25, but the backlash continues and protest websites are flourishing.

Resident Mr Sam Knox set up campaign website www.SavePentney.co.uk in opposition to the Pentney site, known as MIN93.

He said: "Pentney is a frightened community. A very small and very scared village, with some very real fears and concerns that the proposed MIN93 gravel quarry will have a significant negative impact on everyone's health, resulting in aggravation and worsening of existing conditions, an increase risk of new conditions and hitting the elderly, disabled and our children hardest of all.

"This is a key period for us because we have to keep the momentum going."

Actor and author Stephen Fry, who has a home in West Bilney, has also joined the debate, calling on developers to "leave poor Pentney be."

WBB Minerals, the company behind a number of the proposed sites in West Norfolk, said silica sand in the ground was harmless and silicosis was a disease which only affected industrial workers who had experienced significant exposure to silica dust.