Farooq Khayyam, owner of Canvey Dry Cleaners, High Street, Canvey Island, Essex, has been fined £500 with £150 costs after admitting failure to comply with the environmental permit required to operate a drycleaning business.

The case was brought by Castle Point Borough Council's Environmental Health Services, which issued the permit in 2006. It discovered that despite being given several opportunities to comply with the conditions, Khayyam had failed to do so.

The hearing took place in January at Southend Magistrates Court and the defendant told the court that in future he would work with the council to ensure that he met the terms of his permit.

Councillor Tony Belford, the cabinet member for community safety, said that the case showed that the council took its responsibilities seriously and would act to protect the environment and ensure the safety of residents and businesses.