The boss of a scrap metal business is to face trial by judge and jury accused of operating without a permit.

Lee Hazel, 45, who owns Melksham Metal Recycling, is accused of operating a regulated facility where there was no environmental permit in force.

Hazel and his company also denied of disposing of controlled waste without a permit at a farm off Woodrow Road, Forest.

And the farmer, Richard Bourne, 66, is also accused of running waste operation at the premises without a permit.

Both men and the company pleaded not guilty to the charges when they appeared at Swindon Crown Court on Friday and are to face trial by jury.

Hazel is accused of having a waste operation at Station Yard, Melksham, in January 2012 with no environmental permit in force.

He and the company are charged with disposing of controlled waste at Queensfield Farm on or before September 6, 2011, without a permit.

And Bourne is said to have operated a regulated facility without a permit at the farm on or before May 21, 2012, without an environmental permit.

Judge Douglas Field adjourned the case to Monday, June 16, and released the two men on unconditional bail until then.