Environment Agency officers may have found the source of the major oil spill which covered 13 km of the River Aire.

Environment Agency officers have announced they may have found the source of the major oil spill which covered 13 km of the River Aire from bank to bank at the weekend, between Leeds and Castleford.

Businesses were yesterday asked to check their oil and fuel tanks in case a broken pipe or a leak had caused the problem. The serious pollution incident also meant that the company involved had lost thousands of pounds worth of oil.

It is a legal requirement to provide adequate storage for oil. This includes the need to provide protective bunds or barriers that can collect spills and leaks.

Experts have been working with the Canal and Rivers Trust and contractors to soak up as much of the oil as possible, using absorbent booms and pads.