A NORTH-East chemical plant was fined £18,000 yesterday following a "dangerous" leak last year which put lives at risk.

The toxic leak, at Hartlepool's Baker Petrolight plant, took place on May 20, last year, and left three people injured.

Representatives of parent company, Baker Hughes Limited, appeared before Hartlepool magistrates yesterday following a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecution.

The company admitted two charges of failing to provide a safe system at work and causing risk to the public.

The court heard how a dangerous chemical compound leaked out of a reactor at the plant. The toxic substance can cause breathing problems, corrode substances and even death.

Magistrates were shown photographs of the surrounding area after the leak, with hedges and railway tracks covered in a black substance.

Fifteen workers from a nearby company were sent home from work after suffering from sore eyes and breathing difficulties.

Three were taken to hospital but released the same day.

The court was told there had been four leaks at the plant in two years, and that the company had not done enough to improve safety measures.

But David Manley, representing Baker Hughes, said the company had operated for 21 years without being prosecuted and, since the HSE criticism, had appointed a new safety manager and another engineer to prevent any future leaks.

He said death could only have been caused in extreme cases, and no one was badly injured.

Magistrates could have imposed a fine of £40,000, but opted for £17,500 plus £1,350 costs.