THE head of the North West's environment watchdog has called for courts to impose higher fines on companies which cause pollution.

Ian Handyside, North West regional manager for the Environment Agency, told the organisation's regional annual meeting in Liverpool: "Although we had a record fine of £300,000 against ICI, generally fines are still far too low.

"They do not usually reflect the seriousness of offences, nor the environmental risk or damage nor the ability of companies to pay.

"For many organisations the fines are no more than small change and send completely the wrong message to boardrooms."

He said that by the end of the year, the Agency would produce "league tables" of companies which regularly broke anti-pollution laws.

Last month the Glisten Company of Blackburn was fined £4,000 after admitting polluting the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, killing thousands of fish. In June, Sapphire WIndows of Blackburn was fined £12,000 for polluting the River Darwen, but had the fine cut to £5,000 on appeal.

And last October, Castle Cement at Clitheroe was fined £6,500 for polluting the River Ribble and breaking emission limits.

Mr Handyside said the agency had made good progress in the region in the last 12 months, delivering significant environmental improvements, restoring fish stocks in some poorer quality rivers and cleaninh up contaminated sites.

"We met our target for inspecting waste disposal and landfill sites and set up three customer service centres to provide easier access and better information for the public," he said.

He said the poor quality of sea at several North West seaside resorts was a challenge, but the agency had directed North West Water to invest about £100 million in additional sewage treatment and storage systems.

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