Cemex UK has been ordered to pay UK£33,500 in fines and costs after homes, businesses and vehicles in Warwickshire were covered in dust.

The dust fell on properties up to two miles away from the Rugby Cement plant in March 2007. Cemex UK admitted a charge of breaking its permit conditions in a case brought by the Environment Agency. It apologised for the incident which involved dust escaping from a silo.

The Environment Agency said it received nearly 100 complaints when the incident happened. Cemex was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay UK£13, 500 in costs. In a statement a spokesman said the dust was unlikely to have caused anyone any harm but apologised for the inconvenience caused.