A SOMERSET cider maker has appeared in court facing 19 charges relating to allegedly dumping trade waste in the sewer system.

Brothers Cider, based at Showerings Cider Mill, in Kilver Street, Shepton Mallet, did not enter a plea to the charges when they were read out in Taunton Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

The company is accused of ten counts of turning into a public sewer matter likely to injure the sewer or drain with the free flow of its contents or to affect prejudicially the treatment and disposal of its contents.

It also faces nine charges of discharging effluent into a public sewer.

The alleged incidents are said to have occurred on various dates between July 31 and September 3 last year at the mill in Kilver Street and on the Anglo Trading Estate, in Shepton Mallet.

The case was adjourned until Monday (February 24) for a case management hearing, although the company will not be required to attend.