A SCRAP dealer has been fined £300 for transporting scrap metal without a waste carriers' licence.

Albert Mark Hough, 44, of Eastbourne Road, Primrose Hill, Stockton, was charged with being unlicensed to transport controlled waste in the course of his business.

The case was brought by the Environment Agency at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, where Hough admitted that he did not have a licence, despite being caught previously and being handed an application pack by the agency.

He was fined £300 and ordered to pay £100 court costs.

Environment Agency prosecutor Ben Reid told the court that Hough's white flat bed van was stopped as part of a police operation in November last year.

Environment Agency officers were working with the police to crack down on traders illegally carrying waste when they stopped Hough, in Appleton Road, Stockton.

All businesses must be licensed if they carry, collect or dispose of waste, so checks can be kept on the industry, and to help prevent fly-tipping.

In mitigation, Hough told the court he was now a licensed waste carrier, and had co-operated fully with the investigation.

Environment Agency project manager Gerald Lee said: "Our aim is to clamp down on rogue waste traders who are making a profit at the expense of licensed businesses.

"We operate a zero-tolerance policy, which means that people who operate illegally will be sent to court. Our aim is to stamp out these illegal traders so that the only ones left are those who care about our environment."

Businesses can register with the Environment Agency, at a cost of £140 for three years, by calling 08708-506-506.

People can find a legal waste carrier by logging on to www .environmentagency.gov.uk/ publicregisters