RESIDENTS of a Wensleydale market town have been reassured that a fuel spill near a local beck has been thoroughly cleaned up.

The Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes notified the Environment Agency after an oil spill occurred at its site earlier this week.

David Hartley, managing director of the Wensleydale Creamery, said; “A small quantity of fuel was spilled on our site this week. We followed strict protocols to contain and professionally clean the spillage and reported it immediately to the Environment Agency.”

Hawes councillor John Blackie said he had heard concerns from residents in the town, who feared the oil had contaminated the local Gayle Beck, close to the site.

He said: “I had been told about an oil leak into the beck, and a couple of Hawes residents went to the creamery to discuss their concerns.”

A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency said: “We are aware of the oil spillage at the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes, reported on Monday morning.

“We have been in touch with the owner and it has now been contained – two officers were at the site to investigate the cause of the spill.”

The Wensleydale Creamery is the home of award-winning Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese, which is protected with European food name status.

It champions local produce, sourcing milk from over 40 local farms to handcraft its range of cheese, yoghurt and butter.