Residents campaigning against two eco-towns in Mid Beds have taken their fight to Westminster.

Monday's protest march came as the Government kicked off its second round of consulation into the controversial settlements, which have been described by a national group as not being 'environmentally friendly at all'.

Members from both Marston Moretaine Eco-Town Action Group (MMETAG) and the Lidlington Action Group are both thought to have attended the rally in protest over plans for two eco-towns in mid-Bedfordshire which are predicted to host up to 15,000 new homes.

Hugh Roberts, chairman of MMETAG, said: "Tempers are running high in Marston Moretaine, residents are appalled at the lack of consultation.

"These proposals will destroy the quality of life for residents and village life in Marston Moretaine and surrounding villages forever."

Meanwhile, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) said most people living in the eco-towns will still be dependent on their cars; the sites were chosen at random and most are in greenfield areas.

Marina Pacheco, CPRE's head of planning, said: "We are urging the Government to go back to the drawing board. Many of these shortlisted are recycled, failed proposals.

"The Government insists that eco-towns must be freestanding new settlements. But by refusing to look at alternatives, such as eco-quarters and redevelopment sites already coming through the planning pipeline it is missing a golden opportunity."

However, the Government said a "sustainability appraisal" will be carried out to give more detailed environmental information about the sites at Marston Vale and Lidlington.

Housing Minister Caroline Flint, who visited the sites two weeks ago, said: "We are running a rigorous process to decide which locations are selected to go forward to the next stage - proposals which do not deliver real benefits and do not meet the highest possible standards will not get through our scrutiny.

"The process is open, transparent and inclusive and we are testing every detail of the proposals with local authorities, stakeholders and local communities themselves."

The Marston Moretaine Eco-Town Action Group will hold a public meeting at 7.30pm on July 9 at Marston Moretaine Village Hall. For more information call 01234 768575.