A FAMILY-RUN firm, which is threatened with going out of business because of a pollution spill, is appealing to Prime Minister Tony Blair to intervene.

Horse breeders Ken and Heather Saddington have written to Mr Blair urging him to order action before their stud is forced to close.

The couple own Carlton Bank Stud, near Stokesley, North Yorkshire, which was affected by a spill of 1,500 gallons of diesel from a tank as contractors carried out restoration work.

The couple have reproduced their letter to Mr Blair on home-made protest signs installed around their farm.

The spillage was in June 1998, but the land still remains contaminated - leaving the Saddingtons' horses suffering from sores and dermatitis.

The couple have been told by their solicitor that they could be sued if visiting mares become affected by the condition.

Mr Saddington said: "We have had about eight incidents with horses having to be treated for dermatitis. If it happens to a client's horse, he would sue: we lose.''

The Saddingtons are appealing to Mr Blair for his intervention as the multi-million pound restoration programme, on the bank above the stud, was endorsed by the Government and carried out for the North York Moors National Parks Authority by West Cornforth-based contractor HJ Banks.

The firm has accepted responsibility for the spill and says it is waiting for a consultant's report on the condition of the land