Breaches of environmental protection laws will not be tolerated, the leader of North Norfolk District Council has warned.

Councillor Tom FitzPatrick issued the statement after John Uff, director of The Pleasure Boat Inn Ltd, the company which runs the the Nelson's Head at Horsey, was fined for the unlawful disposal of waste.

Great Yarmouth magistrates' court on Tuesday heard that in March 2015, Mr Uff's contractors burned debris from the removal of, and works to, outbuildings. The debris materials included vinyl flooring, treated wood, plastic and fibreglass insulation.

The court heard how these materials release dangerous compounds when burned and are a risk to health. The incident took place in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The prosecution, representing North Norfolk District Council, made the observation that legitimate businesses absorbing the cost of lawful disposal of waste are being put at a disadvantage by those that dispose of their waste unlawfully.

Mr Uff's company The Pleasure Boat Inn Ltd was fined £2,500 and ordered to pay £1,805 costs and £170 victim surcharge. Mr Uff himself was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £100 victim surcharge. The combined total is £5,575.

Councillor FitzPatrick said: 'This is an important outcome for the Council. The substantial fines awarded in this case show that these breaches of environmental protection regulation will not be tolerated and are taken seriously by the courts.

'This sends a clear signal to all businesses that failure to dispose of waste properly will not go unpunished.'

Mr Uff was not available for comment at the time of going to press.