British food firm fined for blocking water pipes

Cumbrian Seafoods has been ordered to pay a fine of more than £26,000 by Consett Magistrates after it pleaded guilty to polluting water pipes, sewers and drains, it has been reported.

The Seaham-based firm admitted to three charges of spilling wastewater into a sewage network and asked for a further eight to be considered by the court, reports the Sunderland Echo.

It said it had discharged more than the permitted levels of waste set by Northumbrian Water into local sewer systems between October and March.

A further £16,222 in costs was also ordered by the court for the cleanup of the affected waterways and investigation into the occurrence.

Cumbrian Seafoods was established in 1997, manufactures shellfish and fresh fish products and has investments as far afield as Iceland and the Far East.