A Worcester man is kicking up a stink over the smell that seeps into his home.

Michael Clift says that since he moved to Lower Wick 20 years ago there has been a strong odour coming from the Severn Trent sewage treatment works in Bromwich Road.

He has now reached the end of his tether and complained to Worcester City Council and the water regulator OFWAT.

"There was a smell when we moved and promises were made but nothing has been done," he said.

"The last straw came two weeks ago when we had visitors. It was about nine o'clock at night and we had the patio doors open.

"We had to explain what the appalling smell was."

Retired Mr Clift was told that the smell is a result of a problem with the digester at the plant.

Severn Trent is currently carrying out a £5.5m refurbishment and it says that once completed - December at the earliest - improvements to the smell should be noticed.

But Mr Clift says he feels let down by the city council's environmental department, which should have invoked its powers to improve the works some time ago.

Worcester City Council said it was working very closely with Severn Trent to ensure that maintenance work is carried out.

"We recognise there is a problem and we're endeavouring to sort it out as soon as possible," said Anita Fletcher, principal environmental health officer.

"They are currently working on the digester at the plant which is a crucial part to solving the problem with the smell.

"Whilst we do have legal powers we don't feel it's in the interest of the public to carry them out as Severn Trent are so far down the line in doing what's required."

A spokeswoman for Severn Trent said some smell was "inevitable" when dealing with waste from a city the size of Worcester.

"We're trying to minimise odours and we'll continue to try and do that," she said.