A STINKING mess of feathers, dead organic matter and excrement has been left next to a roundabout after a lorry carrying 3,000 chickens overturned.

The waste – including a “huge” lorry curtain – is still rotting on the roadside more than a week after the HGV crashed at the Rushwick island on Monday, November 9.

But, after a woman who walked past the “horrible” mess officially reported the matter, Malvern Hills District Council has promised a swift clean-up operation.

Margaret Layland, 63, of St John’s, Worcester, who was repulsed when she saw the mess, said: “There was a lot of detritus, excrement, and feathers - and the smell was awful.

“It was a horrible, smelly mess. I’m really surprised it wasn’t cleared up when the lorry was rescued.

“I’m worried it could also pose a health risk – there should be a proper clean-up and the area should be hosed down.”

She added that a large trailer curtain was also left in the layby while “huge ruts” and tyre tracks have damaged the roundabout itself.

The crash, which took place at 10.50am on Monday, November 9, caused a section of the A4440 to be closed.

Paramedics attended the scene but the driver of the toppled lorry was not injured.

Two fire engines from Worcester and one from Droitwich also attended the incident alongside West Mercia Police.

Mrs Layland added: “Thank goodness the driver was not hurt but I have been thinking a lot about the chickens.

“I wonder if the 3,000 birds were left in the upturned wagon for hours. I guess many suffocated.

“I am now concerned about who will pick up the bill for clearing up the rest of the mess. Taxpayers will probably have to fork out for it but I think the company responsible should pay.”

A spokesman for Malvern Hills District Council, which became aware of the situation on Tuesday (November 17), said: “We will be sending an officer out to assess the situation and arrangements will be made to remove it.”