CAMPAIGNERS protesting against a waste plant close to residential areas have taken their fight to Holyrood.

Shore Energy has permission to build a pyrolysis plant next to the A8 at Carnbroe and Shawhead.

North Lanarkshire Council refused the plan but Scottish Government Reporters said it should be granted, to the dismay of the campaigners.

They brought 2000 Christmas cards from children in the area to the Scottish Parliament as a petition against the proposals.

Pyrolysis processes waste and produces gas which can be used as fuel.

Maggie Proctor, campaigner with Monklands Residents Against Pyrolysis Plant, said: "The First Minister and local government minister Derek Mackay have refused to meet us to discuss the issue.

"We are protesting to protect the health of our children. We want the Scottish Government to call the decision in.

"They can still do it."

Elaine Smith, Labour MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, has written to the Government asking it to overturn the decision.

She said: "It is undemocratic that the building of this plant goes ahead when so many local people have spoken out against it."

In a letter to Ms Smith, local government and planning minister Mr Mackay said: "Revocation of planning permission is a matter for the planning authority in the first instance and, where a revocation order is opposed by other parties, the Scottish Ministers would need to confirm before it came into effect."