School pupils have travelled to protest against plans to build a quarry next to thei school.

Staff and pupils from The Hamble School have travelled to Winchester to make their voices heard as the first day of an inquiry into plans for the former Hamble Airfield site gets underway.

The seven-day public inquiry comes after Cemex appealed against Hampshire County Council’s decision last May to deny the application to extract 1.7 million tons of sand and gravel over 15 years at the 60-hectare site, close to residential areas.

The school, which is only 50 metres away from the site, has said the proposed quarry would have a detrimental impact on its pupils.

Its exam hall is adjacent to the proposed site.

Sarah Valleley, deputy headteacher, said: "We are an inclusive school and we recruit high-quality staff.

"We have concerns that if the quarry were to go ahead, we would struggle to attract the very best staff to the school.

"Ultimately, this will all impact generations of children in terms of their well-being, mental health, and outcomes for the future.

"Our position opposing this quarry has not changed… as our former head student said last year, 'You would not build a school next to a quarry, so why build a quarry next to a school?"