HUNDREDS of protesters are expected to hit the streets of Hatfield on Saturday, in a march against the dreaded incinerator proposals.

Although the march will still leave from High View, off Bishops Rise, at 11am, and head to White Lion Square in the town centre, the route has been slightly changed for safety reasons.

The route will now go up Dellfield Road, instead of Queensway, around Asda and through the town centre.

Those joining the march are being encouraged to bring placards, voicing their opposition to Hertfordshire County Council and Veolia Environmental Services’ plans for a waste-burning facility at the New Barnfield site off Travellers Lane.

Once at the square, hundreds of black balloons are expected to be released into the air, to demonstrate the environmental impact residents believe an incinerator would have not just on Hatfield, but on Hertfordshire and the surrounding area as a whole.

The rest of the event will become a family fun day, with face painting, music and stalls.

Welwyn Hatfield Labour leader Kieran Thorpe, who will be acting as a steward on the day, said: “We want as many people as possible to turn up – and bring your own placards.”