A COMPANY that disposed of thousands of animal carcasses during the foot-and-mouth crisis has been found not guilty of causing unpleasant smells while doing it.

A jury at Carlisle Crown Court took nearly seven hours to find Fats and Protein (UK) Ltd, of Lancaster, not guilty of breaching one of the terms of its licence following the prosecution brought by Lancaster City Council.

During the trial, the company said it was not guilty because the Government forced it to cut corners which meant that the animals were disposed of quickly no matter how much smell it made.