A HOUSING developer has been fined £10,000 after polluting a stream with sewage which could be smelled 100 metres away.

George Wimpey North West Limited admitted the offence as it was responsible for maintaining the sewer near its Calderstone Park estate, Whalley.

Blackburn magistrates were told that on September 23, 2003, sewage litter and sanitary towels overflowed into a stream which feeds the River Calder.

It caused fungus to spread 100 metres from the manhole, casting a stench over the area, the court heard. George Wimpey's site engineers were alerted to the problem by the Environment Agency.

Contractors were called, but could not start work until the following day because failing light and slippery conditions made the area potentially dangerous. When they investigated, a blockage was discovered that had caused the sewage to back up and force off the manhole cover.

However, the contractors left the site without rectifying the problem as they did not have suitable equipment, the court was told.

They returned the following day and cleared the blockage by 4pm. The fungus and sewage was cleaned up the day after, the court was told.

Environment Agency ecologists said the water quality of the stream had been affected.

The firm pleaded guilty to causing sewage effluent to be discharged into controlled waters.

The company was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £1,610.34 in costs.