FORMER owner of Averies Recycling and Swindon Skips, Lee Averies has pleaded not guilty to six environmental offences.

The 46-year-old of Wanborough appeared alongside his brother David, 29, of Dydale Road, who also pleaded not guilty to six environmental offences.

All of the charges relate to two sites which saw major fires break out between November 2013 and July 2014.

Brindley Close, which was the site of Swindon Skips, saw a fire burn for several days while last summer another fire at Averies Recycling based at Marshgate was alight for two months while fire crews tried to tackle it.

The Environment Agency alleges that both the brothers breached the conditions of their permit needed to operate the sites.

Among the charges are inadequate security was on the sites to prevent anyone gaining access and too much waste being stored at the sites.

There is no suggestion that either started the fires.

The case has now been referred to Swindon Crown Court.