Negligent profiteer Thames Water was hit with a £250,000 fine yesterday for allowing gallons of raw sewage to ooze into an idyllic nature reserve.

Fish and other water wildlife were found dead during the incident at the National Trust’s 143-acre Chase site — the third in six years.

Managers at the site in the North Wessex Downs area of outstanding natural beauty had only just completed a two-year habitat rejuvenation project to increase the range of wildlife.