Pollution shame of top firms

Some of Britain's biggest and most trusted companies have caused environmental damage through pollution, a report claims today.

The firms, many of which make millions of pounds in profit each year, have been found guilty of allowing chemicals and their produce to run into rivers and the countryside.

Giants such as BP Oil and TotalFinaElf have been fined hundreds of thousands of pounds for polluting sites across the country.

The report, by the Environment Agency, names and shames firms who have been prosecuted for polluting the countryside.

One of the worst offenders in the past year has been Thames Water, fined for 11 offences - including allowing sewage to run into homes and polluting rivers.

A Thames Water spokesman said: "We regret each of these incidents. In each case, we have made improvements to ensure they cannot recur."