Glastonbury is being prosecuted because too many people weed in the hedges

The organisers of Glastonbury Festival are being prosecuted over their handling of human sewage – because of the number of people weeing in hedges last year.

Local councillors claim the festival has failed to meet environmental requirements when dealing with the gallons of urine produced by music lovers during the week-long event.

It’s believed the number of people weeing in the hedges have impacted the on pollution levels in the stream during the 2014 festival, which attracted almost 200,000 revellers.

The Environment Agency, which monitors a stream flowing through the site, is prosecuting the company on the grounds that it breached regulations in 2014.

There’s a possibility that charges relating dating back to 2010, including the week-long 2015 festival, may also be brought as part of the case.

Founder Michael Eavis had hoped to revolutionise the way waste from thousands of music fans is dealt with at the 2014 festival, at Worthy Farm, in Somerset.

He said there would be a “huge improvement” in waste handling, with the installation of 5,000 long drops which collect sewage in huge tanks, at a cost of £20,000 each.

The human sewage collected in concrete tanks below the new toilets would then be used as fertiliser on nearby fields.

Speaking in May 2014, Mr Eavis said: “This is the biggest and best thing about Glastonbury Festival this year and many years.

“We’re always improving stuff at the festival but for me this is the biggest thing. I am so excited to see this, it’s been something we have dreamed about doing for years.

“With these, there’s no smell, a huge capacity – it’s a fantastic achievement. It’s fundamentally a huge improvement.”

However, he and his staff are now accused of causing or knowingly permitting “the discharge of human sewage” derived from the festival, on or before June 29 2014.

The festival’s strategic operations director, Christopher Edwards, on behalf of the company, did not enter a plea when he appeared before Yeovil magistrates on Tuesday.

The case, which was described as being complex, was adjourned until January 14 next year.