ENVIRONMENT watchdogs are to prosecute a Hyndburn chemical company after a second poisonous gas leak at its factory.

People living close to Nipa Laboratories in Nook Lane, Oswaldtwistle, called police after a leak of hydrogen chloride and sulphur dioxide in November 1998.

The Environment Agency has charged the company with three offences, two of which relate to the incident.

Representatives from Nipa are due before Hyndburn magistrates on March 2.

Nipa is charged with two breaches of its licence - causing offensive smells to leave its site and failing to ensure that a process was managed by suitably qualified staff.

It is also charged with another breach of releasing more sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride during 1998 than its annual allowance.

Following the leak, police toured the New Lane area with loudhailers, warning residents to stay indoors and close their windows and doors.

Environment Agency chiefs served enforcement notices on the company after inspectors suggested the leak was caused by a fault in a circulation pump on an acid gas scrubber. Nipa, who has apologised to residents for the leak, described it as "a relatively minor incident" and claimed that there was no need to call emergency services immediately.

Last month Nipa was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £54,000 costs by Burnley Crown Court after it admitted causing a poisonous gas leak in May 1998.

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