SAMSON Resins Ltd has had a £10,750 fine slashed in half after Swindon Crown Court heard that the company was in financial trouble.

Last April, one of the firm's lorries was pulled over on the M4 at Leigh Delamere and found to be overloaded, with a broken brake disc and a bald tyre. It was also being used without an operator's licence.

But John Simmons for the Vehicle Directorate told the court that when directors Stephen Thomas and Martin Challenor were questioned, they fully accepted what had happened and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

Simon Goodman, for Samson Resins of Cromer Road, Weston super Mare, said that since the incident a raft of checks had been imposed and that the company had immediately got an operator's licence for the vehicle.

Mr Goodman added that three of the fines were manifestly excessive. Judge Charles Wade, sitting with two magistrates, cut the fine down to £5,750.