Sewage guidelines 'under review'

Northumbrian Water has offered to restock the stream

The Environment Agency plans to tighten up guidelines which allow water companies to release raw sewage in emergencies.

About 6,000 fish died in June this year after pollution leaked into Howl Beck, near Guisborough.

Northumbrian Water released raw sewage into the stream under "emergency consent" from the Environment Agency.

But these guidelines could now be tightened up to avoid a repeat of the devastation.

Darren Starkey, from the Environment Agency said life in the beck should get back to normal soon, and Northumbrian Water has offered to restock the stream.

Alistair Baker, from the water company, said they do have emergency consent, but would co-operate with a review.

He said: "We welcome this move form the Environment agency and as always, will be only too pleased to meet with them and see how the consent can be improved in the future.

"Northumbria Water has also offered, as a goodwill gesture, to restock the stream and that is going to cost more than £5,000."