A pet cremation business in the Cotswolds has been hit by fines and costs totalling nearly £65,000 after it breached clean air regulations.

Time Right, which operates Limekiln Farm Pet Cremation Services from Lypiatt, near Stroud, pleaded guilty at Cheltenham Magistrates Court after environmental officers from Stroud District Council observed thick plumes of dark and black smoke rising from the site.

The court ruled that the animal incinerator business, which is part of the national Pet Cremation Service group, had acted recklessly over a significant time period.

Pleading guilty to non-compliance with the requirements of its Environmental Permit, the company accepted three charges made by Stroud District Council alleging a failure by the company to use the best available techniques at the site to control its emissions to air.

The court's district judge handed Time Right a fine of £50,000 for these non-compliances, with full costs and a victim surcharge – raising the total penalty to £64,489.

Despite making an acknowledgment that significant steps have since been taken by the company to address the issue, the District Judge concluded that the company had acted recklessly over a significant period of time.

After the hearing, SDC Environment Committee Chair Chloe Turner said: "Installations operating under a relevant Environmental Permit are inspected by members of the Environmental Protection team at Stroud District Council. Where non-compliance is identified, officers will always work to address those issues with the company as a matter of priority and, where appropriate, undertake enforcement action."

Committee Vice Chair Robin Layfield added: "Air quality is an important issue for the whole of Stroud district and this case shows the council's commitment to taking effective and timely action to protect air quality for everyone."