A SWIMMING pool chemicals company whose factory blew up in the Cotswolds causing a local environmental disaster three and a half years ago is to stand crown court trial on five health and safety and pollution charges.

Biolab (UK) Ltd of the Andoversford Industrial Estate is being prosecuted by the Environment Agency.

In September 2006 a cloud of toxic smoke drifted across the Cotswolds after the factory exploded. Dozens of firefighters battled the chlorine fuelled blaze for hours while police cordoned off the town.

Gloucester Magistrates ruled this morning that the charges facing the company are too serious to be dealt with by them and they ordered that the case be sent to Gloucester Crown Court for trial later this year.

The Environment Agency has brought one charge under the Water Resources Act 1991 and four charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act alleging it failed to comply with the Control of Major Accident Hazard Regulations.

Two months after the blast Biolab closed its production plant in the village although it still has offices there.

Dangerous chemicals seeped into the River Coln after the explosion, causing the deaths of about 2,500 fish.

The 20,000sq ft site, which was used to blend and package swimming pool and hot tub chemicals, was totally destroyed.