Tesco-owned garden centre giant Dobbies will appeal against a hefty fine imposed for allowing sewage from a Cumbrian garden centre to pollute a local waterway.
The Carlisle branch of Dobbies was investigated by the Environment Agency after the government body received complaints from the public about a foul odour coming from a stream.

Officers from the agency traced pollution in the stream back to a pipe pumping secondary-treated sewage into the water from the Orton Grange Dobbies near Carlisle. Although Dobbies had a permit to do this, the level of sewage was found to be 12 times the legal limit.

As a result, Dobbies was fined £75,000 plus £4,000 costs incurred by the Environment Agency. Describing the charges as 'unprecedented' and 'wholly excessive,' Dobbies has now decided to appeal the fine and a court date has been set for August 29 at Carlisle Crown Court.