NORTH West Water has promised to clean up its act and stop creating a stink on the Fylde.

In fact, the unpleasant smells are so bad from the company's new sewage treatment works at Fleetwood and Clifton Marsh it has prompted Lancashire County Council into action.

The county's policy and resources committee agreed to continue to press North West Water into taking urgent action.

Council leader Louise Ellman said: "We fought a successful campaign to stop North West Water depositing raw sewage on the beaches and in the sea.

"We will now work hard to ensure it honours its commitment to build odourless plants at Fleetwood and Clifton Marsh.

"Our pressure has already led to a meeting between Lancashire County Council and North West Water, together with the Environment Agency, Lancashire Waste Services and the district councils."

She added: "The present situation is unacceptable. Lancashire must have a modern and efficient sewage disposal system without smells causing a public nuisance."

North West Water admits process problems at Fleetwood resulted in the release of unpleasant odours from the sludge on its arrival at Clifton Marsh but has promised to rectify the situation as quickly as possible.

A North West Water spokesperson said: "We are taking urgent action to minimise smells and are looking at taking long-term efficient steps."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.