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

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

Police toured the New Lane area with loud hailers, 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.

The agency has the power to bring criminal charges against companies which pollute. An agency spokeswoman said it was considering what action to take against Nipa and a decision is expected within the next week.

Nipa, who have 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.

Earlier this week, 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.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.