Vital services are at risk and the occupation is nothing more than an election stunt

Council Officer Bob Kerslake

The council plan to take further legal action against Greenpeace.

A council spokesman told BBC News Online: "Since their unlawful protest began, Greenpeace have cost the people of Sheffield �40,000. This is the daily cost of keeping the incinerator closed."

The activists first struck at about 0430BST on Tuesday and have set up camp on top of the chimney. The chimney flues have been capped.

Greenpeace protester Blake Lee-Howard told BBC News Online: "They've served the possession order on us but we are acting to prevent a crime and to protect the people of Sheffield.

"We are not responding. What we are doing we do not see as unlawful but rather like a citizen's arrest.

An activist scales the incinerator (Greenpeace picture)

"The incinerator emissions have broken the law 156 times and the council have failed to make sure this does not happen."

Council chief executive Bob Kerslake said: "Vital services are at risk and the occupation is nothing more than an election stunt.

"We completely refute their argument that incineration is more dangerous than any other form of waste disposal.

"It is significantly better for the environment than the alternative of landfill."

'Black Acrid smoke'

Several residents of the flats opposite the incinerator have hung bedsheets from their windows to support the action.

One of them, Freda Georgeson, told BBC News Online "We are really pleased. I have lived here for six years and I cannot have my bedroom window open because of the black acrid smoke.

"There are more people having health problems like asthma, sore throats and chest infections. There should not be an incinerator like this in a built up area."

Greenpeace cites a report based on data obtained from Environment Agency pollution registers.

It says Sheffield is identified as having the worst incinerator in England, with 156 breaches over a two-year period.

The council has responded by saying it had teething problems while upgrading the incinerator.

It also says further improvements are due to be made as part of the transfer of the incinerator to a private contractor.