ENVIRONMENT chiefs investigating the death of thousands of fish in two East Lancashire rivers have brought charges against a Hyndburn chemical firm.

Nipa Laboratories, who are based at Nook Lane, Oswaldtwistle, are due to appear before Preston Crown Court in May.

The firm is charged with causing polluting matter to enter a watercourse and a charge under the Salmon And Freshwater Fisheries Act. The charges relate to a fish kill in the Calder and Ribble rivers downstream of the Hyndburn Waste Water Treatment Plant in April 1995. Fish including salmon, roach, chub and sticklebacks were found dead along four miles of river.

The hearing is expected to last four to six weeks.

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