A PETROL station operator has been fined £11,000 plus costs for breaking health and safety rules and posing a serious threat to the environment.

Firoz Patel, who runs two filling stations in Manchester Road, Baxenden, appeared at Hyndburn Magistrates Court, where he was prosecuted by Trading Standards Service Officers from Lancashire County Council for offences committed under the Petroleum Consolidation Act 1928.

Patel, of Eccles, Manchester, had previous convictions for contravening the Petroleum Consolidation Act.

He had breached several conditions of his licence by failing to notify the Petroleum Licensing Authority of his intention to discontinue the use of petroleum spirit storage tanks. He also failed to take steps to prevent any accident by fire or explosion taking place within a hazardous area where petroleum spirit was being kept and failed to carry out consistent and accurate monitoring of petroleum spirit stored in each underground storage tank and connected pipeline system.

Each of the offences was contrary to The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and posed a serious threat to the environment.

An underground fuel storage facility poses a risk because the tanks cannot be easily inspected and leaks may not be seen. And because the tank is several meters underground - which puts it nearer to the underground water - it is easier for a leak from an underground storage tank to pollute groundwater.

Patel asked the court to take into consideration three further offences relating to similar offences at another petrol filling station for which he held the licence to store petroleum spirit.

The judge stated that Patel, who has been involved in the operation of Petrol Filling Stations since 1989, was well aware of the general conditions of a Petroleum Spirit Licence and continued to run a business in another part of the country. He said Patel had placed the general public at risk from fire or explosion and also to causing potential harm to the environment.