VILLAGERS subjected to smells from a nearby sewage treatment works have started an action group in their bid to get the problem sorted. The West Walton Sewage Smells Action Group has been set up in support of West Walton Parish Council, after the smells b

VILLAGERS subjected to smells from a nearby sewage treatment works have started an action group in their bid to get the problem sorted.

The West Walton Sewage Smells Action Group has been set up in support of West Walton Parish Council, after the smells became "unbearable" at the end of last year.

Roger Williams, chairman of the action group, said: "Our main aim is to support the parish council in its attempt to rid our village and others nearby of the nauseating smells that are being emitted from the water treatment works.

"Answers to questionnaires sent out by the action group unanimously agree that the odours significantly affect the quality of life of the residents in West Walton and the surrounding villages.

"These smells became unbearable during the last few months of 2007."

Since a public meeting in West Walton Village Hall in November, the action group has met with Anglian Water and environmental health officers from King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council about the problem.

A spokeswoman for Anglian Water said numerous "potential sources of odour" at the works and on the sewage network are being investigated.

She said: "There are certain amounts of work we want to do at the works which necessitate a relaxation in consents that were given by the Environment Agency. When we get that relaxation we can step in, assess the site and go ahead with work.

"We have also introduced odourisers at the site and are dousing chemicals at points along the network."

A council spokeswoman said: "Officers from the council's environmental health and housing departments are closely monitoring the problem and working with all relevant parties to secure a solution to the situation.