THE trial of a skip hire operator and his business has been delayed until next spring.

Raymond Antony Shepherd, from Darlington-based Albert Hill Skip Hire, and the company have been charged with a series of offences of operating without a permit or breaching a permit.

Mr Shepherd, 56, of West Musgrave Farm, St Helen Auckland, pleaded not guilty to all five charges against him and to another five against the company at Teesside Crown Court on Monday.

The trial was due to start yesterday, but is now likely to take place in the spring.

Three charges relate to operating a regulated facility without a permit - one charge is for the operation in Dodsworth Street, Darlington, and two for a site in Whessoe Road. Two more charges relate to alleged breach of a permit by storing non-hazardous waste on a permeable surface without a sealed drainage system.

Mr Shepherd is charged with allowing the company to operate without a permit due to his consent, connivance or neglect.

The period in question is between July 2008 and August last year. The prosecution is being brought by the Environment Agency.