New tests of depleted uranium weapons are scheduled to begin at the Dundrennan military range near Kirkcudbright this week. It follows an earlier decision by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to press ahead with the tests, despite opposition.

Local people near the facility want the tests stopped amid growing fears about the health risks posed by the shells.

But the MoD insists that the environmental contamination caused by the shells is negligible and there is no known risk to public health.

Thousands of depleted uranium tipped shells have been test fired from the Dundrennan range into the Solway Firth in the past 20 years.

Public health risk

Public concern at the testing has grown in recent years following allegations about a possible link between exposure to depleted uranium and cases of cancer among British troops who served in the peacekeeping force in the Balkans.

Nato warplanes dropped 10,000 rounds of depleted uranium ammunition in Bosnia in 1994 and 1995.

Soldiers from several countries, including Britain, Italy, Portugal and France, have fallen ill with what has been dubbed Balkan Syndrome.

The allegations have prompted villagers in Dundrennan, who have previously accepted the MoD's assurances, to call for an end to the testing.

They say the programme should be halted while question marks remain about the risks posed to public health.