A FIRM has been fined hundreds of pounds after villagers recorded a workers allowing animal blood to leak out into the road.

Newark Transport admitted spilling animal by products into a highway near Beyton, Bury St Edmunds, in August last year.

The incident was reported to Suffolk trading standards which then gathered evidence and brought a prosecution against the Nottinghamshire-based company.

Magistrates in Ipswich fined the business of �1,000 and it ordered it to pay towards the costs of the case �800.

Suffolk County Council’s fair trading officer Janet Knight said: “This is a great victory for the people of Beyton.

“Their diligence in recording and photographing spillages in their area greatly assisted Trading Standards with bringing this case to court.

“Suffolk Trading Standards takes such spillages very seriously. The blood mixture which leaks on to the highway could potentially spread livestock diseases such as foot and mouth disease over a very wide area.

“Disease outbreaks can have a major impact on the farming community and the UK as a whole. The level of fine imposed by the courts sends a clear message to those involved in the collection and transportation of animal by-product to ensure that they understand and adhere to the rules.”