RESIDENTS of a Northumberland village who have kicked up a stink about an odour are being urged to act to help tackle the problem.

People at Lynemouth are being encouraged to fill in diaries of when the smell, thought to come from the village’s sewage treatment works, is bad, in order to assist Northumberland County Council bring about a solution with owners Northumbrian Water.

Residents living near the site say the stench of sewage has been a problem for nearly seven years and say it can be so strong, that they are unable to leave doors and windows open.

A petition demanding action to tackle the smell was signed by 564 people, and handed to the county council in May. Since then it is claimed a further 170 signatures have been collected.

The authority launched an investigation, which has seen officers visiting the site and working with Northumbrian Water to identify the source of the stink and solutions.

As part of the investigation, the council asked 397 people who had signed the petition to keep diaries of when the smell was bad.

The council said negotiations could take place with the company, aimed at bringing about an “improvement programme” if sufficient supporting evidence is found.

However, only four diaries have been returned.

Milburn Douglas, the county councillor for Lynemouth, said: “One of the problems has been that we are not getting enough forms back in the complaints procedure.

“We need them to try and acquire a satisfactory solution with the water board.

“If we can get 20 or 30 of those that would give us sufficient information.”

The issue was discussed at a meeting of the council’s south east area committee.

It has been agreed to hold a public meeting for residents who live near the treatment works, during which they will be updated on the situation and encouraged to fill in the diaries. The meeting will take place on August 10 at 6pm at Lynemouth Resource Centre.