A NATIONAL delivery company based in Leyland has been fined £2,000 by magistrates for polluting the River Lostock.

Magistrates at South Ribble Magistrates' Court, Leyland, heard how Lynx Express Limited, of Tomlinson Road, had polluted the river with oil.

A broken pipe had leaked oil in June last year which was washed down a nearby surface water grid where Lynx believed there to be an oil interceptor. This was not the case.

An Environment Agency officer investigated the river at Earnshaw Bridge, Leyland, and discovered a heavy rainbow film of oil covering the surface and a strong smell of diesel. It was then traced back to the company premises.

Tim Warn, prosecuting for the Environment Agency, told the court on Wednesday, February 4, that at least one kilometre of the river had been polluted contaminating vegetation on the river bank.

A spokesman for Lynx Express said: "Lynx Express has a commendable record of environmental awareness and regrets this isolated case of oil leakage.

"The fact that we received the minimum fine possible is a clear indication that the court was aware that we have taken this problem very seriously and have taken all necessary steps to ensure it will not happen again".

Lynx Express were ordered to pay the Environment Agency's costs of £911 in addition to the fine.