PEOPLE on a Droitwich estate are kicking up a stink about a bad smell lingering in their neighbourhood.

Householders in Chawson often have to contend with pongs because they live close to the River Salwarpe and the open countryside.

But now residents are complaining the stench is worse than ever - making it impossible to sit outside in the garden or have the windows open.

One man, who lives at Chawson, but did not wish to be named, said: "I've lived here for 30 years and I have never known it so bad. You expect a few smells because we live near the countryside, but this is unbearable, it is still pungent with the windows closed."

Wychavon District Council has received six complaints about a smell in the Chawson area.

Environmental protection officer for the council Geoff Carpenter said: "We have looked into the complaints.

"We think the smell comes from a nearby dairy farmer spreading solid manure on his fields.

"We have visited the farm and we are convinced the farmer is using good agricultural practices to try to avoid smells, including muck spreading during the week and watching the weather, so rain dilutes the smell."

But the resident said: "Even in the rain, the smell is still absolutely unbearable. I can't think it is coming from a farm, it must be from another source."

Wychavon District Council refused to name the farm or farmer.

Town councillor John Cook (Lab-West), who lives in Oakleigh Road, Chawson, said: "The smell is absolutely unbearable at times. I will be bringing it up at the town council and speaking to Wychavon about it. I understand the farmer has a business to run but this smell is overwhelming."