Councillors say they will continue to fight to improve the quality of life for people living near a sewage plant.

Members of Rochford District Council's environmental services committee met for a progress report on renovation work at the Stambridge Sewage Treat-ment Works on Tuesday night.

Residents have been complaining for years about odours coming from the site and speakers claimed nobody from Anglian Water, which runs the site, had paid attention to their concerns for a long time.

Anne-Marie Bates, clerk of Stambridge Parish Council, told the meeting: "It has been a problem for about ten years and is very noticeable.

"People often phone the complaints number, which is 0800 145 145, but the call gets logged and nothing really seems to get done.

"Residents also complain to the parish council and we pass those messages on to Anglian Water."

However, a £3.5million upgrade is now taking place at the site, which should be finished by June.

The council has recently been given a special assessment of the plant carried out by the agricultural development and advisory service.

Phil Capon (Con, Hawkwell South) said: "I don't care if it costs Anglian Water £100million to get it right.

"We will keep fighting for another 25 years, but we will make sure they do get it right."

The water company told members only a fraction of the £3.5million renovation would go towards stopping the smells.

The committee noted the report and said a further report should be made following the completed upgrade.