ENVIRONMENT watchdogs have named a Chorley firm as one of the biggest offenders when it comes to pollution.

Houghton House Sand Ltd, of Adlington, was listed the eighth worst company in England and Wales in the Environment Agency's table of poor performers based on total fines imposed for environmental offences.

The quarrying firm was fined £50,000 in May 2000 for three offences of depositing and keeping controlled waste at an unlicensed site at Adlington.

Company director Ian Ashburn was also fined £10,000 for one offence relating to neglect. He was unavailable to comment about the report.

Barbara Young, chief executive of the Environment Agency, said pollution is still being treated as an acceptable risk by too many businesses.

She added: "We need to see a culture change across management, with zero tolerance for pollution replacing apathy and acceptance of poor environmental performance.

"The Environment Agency takes a tough line with businesses that pollute."

The report, titled Spotlight on business environmental performance, reveals that the Environment Agency prosecuted nearly 700 businesses and individuals for serious pollution offences which left the public and the environment exposed to dangers including raw sewage, acid and fuel leaks.