THE director of a family-run skip hire business facing allegations of illegal waste dumping has been remanded in custody.

Raymond Shepherd, 57, is accused of flouting environmental regulations at Albert Hill Skip Hire, in Darlington, between May 2010 and March this year.

He is also alleged to have ignored a notice to suspend operations.

Mr Shepherd, who has not entered any pleas to the charges, had applied for bail but was refused.

He was remanded in custody and will next appear at Teesside Crown Court on Thursday, December 20.