CAMPAIGNERS braved the elements to protest against the smells coming from a landfill site in Chorley.

More than 70 people turned out on Dawson Lane including Sir Lindsay Hoyle to voice their views on the stink which is coming from the Clayton Hall Landfill site in Clayton-le-Woods.

Rick Harwood, who is chairman of the Leyland and Chorley Stink Bomb Facebook page believe they could generate more interest with people joining.

He said: “We want a resolution and a quick one where the smell will go. We have 1,800 members now and the more and more people that join the group will show the strength of concern against it.

“The protest was fantastic and everyone was complaining about the same thing with the banners and the tannoys.

The Environment Agency said: “The Environment Agency has taken nearly 1000 spot sample measurements of hydrogen sulphide in the areas surrounding Clayton Hall since 23 January 2018. Measurements were undertaken at places where reports indicate that odour was strongest. Those results have been reviewed by Public Health England.

“While the odour can be smelt at a variety of locations, the majority of the data shows that the levels of hydrogen sulphide present were below the World Health Organization Air Quality Guideline for Europe. At the levels recorded there may be an odour, and it is recognised that odour is a nuisance and can cause stress and anxiety. Some people may experience symptoms such as nausea, headaches or dizziness even when a substance that causes the smell is below a level established to protect from harm to health.

“On January 26, between 5.58pm and 6.46pm, the Environment Agency took measurements at Spring Meadow Community Centre. For a short period of time hydrogen sulphide levels recorded exceeded the World Health Organizations Air Quality Guidelines for Europe. However, there is a large safety margin built into these guidelines, which are based on a 24 hour averaging period and not short term exposure. So, while this result is above the guidelines, Public Health England would not expect there to be any long-term health consequences. The levels detected may cause discomfort and some mild short-term health effects including eye irritation.”

A spokesman for Quercia said:”The new gas infrastructure required to capture the landfill gas which is the source of the odour, has now been connected to the existing network and we have begun to draw gas from the affected area. The rate of extraction will continue to be increased in a controlled manner, in order to avoid safety issues resulting from drawing oxygen into the waste. The application of blinding material to seal the affected area is also being undertaken. Work continued over the weekend and we would once again like to apologise to local residents and reinforce our commitment to rectifying the situation as soon as possible.”