Food company fined over pollution

The agency said the incident should never have happened

A Wiltshire food company was ordered to pay £6,200 in fines and costs in a case brought by the Environment Agency.

Apetito of Trowbridge pleaded guilty at Chippenham magistrates to polluting the Wyke water course with waste fat.

The company processes and supplies meals for the NHS and other meals on wheels services.

It said it has invested £70,000 to raise standards at the site, that more investment is expected and that such incidents were "unacceptable."

Paul Freeston, chief executive, said: "We accept that... we have a clear responsibility for the environment.

"I wouldn't want anyone to think that we don't care or think it doesn't matter."

The Environment Agency said Apetito had carried out "significant" improvements since the incident, which should never have happened in the first place".