AN East Lancashire firm has been fined after nearby residents complained that dust emissions were making their lives a misery.

Padiham-based Equestrian Surfaces, which manufactures horse riding surfaces, was fined £2,500 yesterday after pleading guilty to failing to control fibrous emissions.

Annette Moppett, principal litigation officer for Burnley Borough Council told Reedley Magistrates that environmental health officers had visited the company in Station Road following several complaints from residents in Waterside Mews.

In September 2001 the company had been served with an abatement order demanding it controlled its emissions. After it failed to comply, the company was fined £275 with £125 costs in October 2002.

In this latest prosecution, the company was also ordered to pay £811 court costs after admitting its second breach of green regulations yesterday.

Miss Moppett told the court: "During the summer months residents made several complaints about dust nuisance.

"Raw materials could be seen from one garden. Sand and dust was seen to blown into Green Brook. The officer visited Equestrian Surfaces and spoke to the company about the problem sand emissions were causing residents on Waterside Mews.

"The surface of the yard was full of raw materials and there had been no attempt made to cover them."

Philip Bond, communications officer for Equestrian, said a combination of residential and industrial sites in close proximity had contributed to the problems.

He said: "Many of the problems that can be attributed to the activities of Equestrian Services are a result of the development of residential property in what is predominately an industrial area.

"The company has been actively seeking property suitable for the operations. Due to the operations, and bearing in mind the environmental problems, suitable premises have not become available. "

On Tuesday a storeroom at the company collapsed causing half a tonne of fibrous material to plunge into Green Brook - a tributary of the River Calder.