Environment Agency chiefs issued a formal warning to building products manufacturer Hanson Aggregates following problems with dust from its quarry in Cheddar.

Residents complained to the agency on June 9 over the amount of dust coming from the site, which is used to produce lime and limestone products.

Some expressed concerns about the impact on their health. The Environment Agency launched an investigation and dust was sent off for analysis.

It was concluded that it was unlikely to have caused any adverse effect on health. But the Environment Agency found the company was in breach of its Environmental Permit.

Hanson was issued with a formal warning and is now working with the Environment Agency to ensure that further improvements are made.

Agency spokesman Colin Babb said: "We are determined to ensure Hanson Aggregates improve the conditions for local residents and the environment.

"We will continue our monitoring and regular checks of the site to ensure the site is meeting its permit conditions."

Anyone who continues to suffer from dust problems from the site should report it to the Environment Agency on its free 24 hour hotline 0800 80 70 60.

Hanson spokesman David Weeks said the dust escaped when a seal on a kiln used to produce powdered lime failed.

He said: "We were outside our permit as we can only realise emissions from the chimney stack.

"We accepted this was a mechanical failure and held our hands up.

"The Environment Agency praised us for the action we took to contain it and the work we have been doing to ensure it does not happen again."