AN Environment Agency investigation has been launched following a diesel spillage at a factory in Stowmarket.Around 200 litres of diesel spilled into the River Gipping after an overflow from the Muntons factory at Stowmarket late on Friday evening.

AN Environment Agency investigation has been launched following a diesel spillage at a factory in Stowmarket.

Around 200 litres of diesel spilled into the River Gipping after an overflow from the Muntons factory at Stowmarket late on Friday evening.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency today said they had been informed of the spill by Muntons and immediately contacted Anglian Water to ensure the fuel did not get into the area's water supply.

The spokesman said: “There is an extraction point seven kilometres down water which was closed as a precaution.

“Fortunately the oil only made it three kilometres down the river.”

The agency said it could prosecute if necessary or just issue a warning, depending on the outcome of the investigation.

Kit Wells, environmental manager at Muntons, said: “We will be carrying out a full investigation.

“We have a pollution incident response plan which is part of our environmental management system.

“That kicked into place as soon as, if not before, I was on site to deal with the spill.

“The response plan includes procedures for the aftermath, follow-up investigation and a review.

“We are extremely disappointed this happened and will endeavour to learn whatever lessons we can from this and how we can improve to make sure it never happens again.”

A clean-up operation has removed all the diesel from the river.

Booms were placed across the river to halt and collect the diesel so it so it can be skimmed off.

The diesel made its way as far as Hawksmill, Needham Market.