Kerosene leak continues, sparking pollution fears

Councillor Ruth Houghton said "the kerosene is still flowing" beneath Bishop's Castle

A town is still being affected by a kerosene leak, which was first noticed 10 days ago, and concerns have been raised that it may get into nearby watercourses.

Businesses in Bishop's Castle, Shropshire, had to close last week and one man moved out of his home because of the smell.

The businesses have since reopened, but Shropshire councillor Ruth Houghton, who represents the town, said "the kerosene is still flowing" through drains.

She said it was "really very worrying environmentally".

The Environment Agency said on Friday the kerosene had not entered any watercourse or groundwater source and posed "minimal risk".

The agency was contacted by the BBC for an update on Monday, but it has yet to comment.

Ms Houghton said: "At some point it will enter the water courses, Bishop's Castle is on a hill, everything will flow downhill."

"Unless we get some help to resolve this then I suspect it's inevitable."

The smell was noticed coming from the drains

On Thursday, Shropshire Council said the leak came from a heating oil tank at a property uphill from those affected and it had been stopped.

The authority added that it had no legal responsibility over the issue, and that homeowners were given advice to contact their insurance companies and arrange visits from specialist contractors to find the source.

However on Friday, it said it was possible the leak was coming from a second source, even higher up and Ms Houghton said the town had received a further visit from an Environmental Health officer.

Shropshire Council said it had nothing further to add when contacted by the BBC on Monday.

Ms Houghton said on Monday the source of the leak was still yet to be confirmed.