An Essex oil refinery has been named as one the main culprits for releasing cancer-causing chemicals into the air.

Carless, in Parkeston near Harwich, is numbered 25 in the national list of the 100 most polluting factories compiled by the Friends of the Earth.

The environmental group, which used information gathered by watchdog the Environment Agency, claims the factory emitted 72 tonnes of the chemicals last year.

The data details pollution of the 1,500 largest factories in the country but does not include smaller factories, landfill sites, sewage treatment works or transport.

Mike Childs, senior pollution campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said: "Pollution levels have fallen over the last decade but these figures show how much further we have got to go if people's Health and the environment are to be protected."

In February this year Friends of the Earth listed Carless as 96th out of 100 using data from the Environment Agency.

A spokesman for the refinery said then all emissions were approved by the environmental watchdog.

A company statement read: "Carless recognises that there should a continuous reduction of all emissions and over the last decade has implemented a programme of continuous improvement. In 1999, Carless will be spending £250,000 to continue this programme.

"In addition Carless monitors the occupational exposure of its employees to substances by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations and in all cases measured levels are well below the approved limits."

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