Farmer praised for averting pollution incident

A farmer based in Crewkerne, Somerset, has been praised by the Environment Agency for his successful attempt to stop a flow of slurry cascading down a hillside and contaminating the soil and surroundings.

Highlands Dairy Farm's John Wyatt spotted the collapse of a concrete panel of a slurry store on a hillside and anticipating the spillage of 500 cubic metres of wastewater, he sprung into action.

The farmer plugged the hole with a trailer and enlisted the help of a local engineering contractor, who helped him to dig a trough at the bottom of the hill to channel the wastewater.

Doug Parker, from the Environment Agency, said that Mr Wyatt's efforts "saved the day".

He continued: "If the slurry had got into a small watercourse and entered the River Axe, thousands of fish could have been killed and we could have lost miles of quality spawning grounds."

Somerset, with its rolling hills and expanses of countryside, is a haven for wildlife lovers and farmers alike.