The campaigners were out on Portobello High Street to drum up local support for the fight against plans by Viridor to build the £7 million road-to-rail transfer station in the former rail freight yard off Sir Harry Lauder Road.

The station will see more than 200 trucks every day delivering rubbish which will be put on trains bound for a landfill at Oxenwellmains, Dunbar.

It will mean fewer road journeys to and from the landfill, with Viridor estimating it will cut its CO2 emissions by 42 per cent.

The council will discuss whether or not to grant the application on Wednesday. More than 700 objections have been received from the public, raising concerns about the effect on traffic in the area and its overall impact on the amenity of residents.

On Saturday, local MP Gavin Strang and Kenny MacAskill MSP both attended the demonstration and were joined by local councillor, Stephen Hawkins, who said: "The opposition to this unnecessary development has resulted in a massive number of objections. I hope that the planning committee, in reaching their decision, pay heed to the real concerns expressed by local people."

Dan Cooke of Viridor said it was pleased with recommendations for approval and looked forward to a fair hearing "based on planning merit and fact".