Gatwick Airport has been fined £30,000 for polluting a river, killing more than 5,000 fish.

They died when detergent used to clear rubber off the runway was mistakenly diverted into the River Mole.

The alarm was raised after a dog walker discovered more than 50 dead fish just hours later.

Environment Agency officials immediately searched the river-banks to measure the extent of the problem.

They found dead and dying fish while parts of the river were frothing.

Workers also identified a strong citrus smell from the detergent around the watercourses and ponds surrounding the airport.

In an attempt to prevent the pollution spreading, a dam was constructed to pump contaminated water to a purpose-built drainage system. The following day the pollution had cleared after heavy rain.

Among the dead fish were 14 species including roach, perch, bream and a pike.

The airport spent more than £10,000 restocking the river.

Gatwick Airport Ltd, which was prosecuted for the blunder by the Environment Agency, admitted a charge of causing polluting matter to enter the river in September 2002.

Richard Banwell, prosecuting for the Environment Agency, told Lewes Crown Court it was difficult to estimate how many fish were killed but the figure was believed to be between 5,000 and 8,000.

Mr Banwell said the agency described the company as being environmentally careful but, he said, the pollution was caused by "inadvertent but very careless actions" in failing to check where the water would drain to.

Gerard Forlin, defending, said the company was "absolutely distraught" for causing the pollution.

Gatwick Airport Ltd, which has no previous convictions for environmental breaches, was ordered to pay £3,548 costs.

Wednesday February 04, 2004