A COMPANY has been fined almost £2,000 after ignoring explosion risks.

Builder’s firm CJ Hurst (Lickfold) Ltd of The Street, Bury, near Pulborough, was warned to make its underground petrol tank safe by West Sussex Trading Standards.

The tank had been disused for 30 years but despite several warnings to make it safe, the company was brought before Worthing Magistrates’ Court and fined £1,650 with £332 costs.

All petrol tanks, even those emptied of fuel, pose a risk of explosion unless they are properly decommissioned.

Peter Aston, West Sussex Trading Standards team manager, said: “Disused petrol tanks have the potential to be incredibly dangerous unless dealt with in the correct way.

“Officers had sought to work with the company and made several warnings which were repeatedly ignored.”