Landfill stink worse than ever, residents claim

Some residents believe the smell in Silverdale is as bad as it has ever been

Residents near a controversial landfill site in Staffordshire say a "horrendous" stench made the festive period intolerable.

The Walleys Quarry landfill in Silverdale was served a closure notice in November after the Environment Agency (EA) said there was a risk of "significant long-term pollution".

Its owners are currently appealing against the decision and have rejected accusations of poor management.

But campaigners - some of whom have been complaining about unpleasant smells for half a decade - say the recent stench is as bad as it has ever been.

The BBC understands the EA is aware of the issues, and has received multiple reports over the festive period.

The increased odours are thought to be down partly to an increase in fog, meaning hydrogen sulphide - the chemical responsible for unpleasant smells at the site - is trapped in the air.

Walleys Quarry said its team was working to minimise the impact on local residents.

Dawn Booth and her mother Mavis Cooper have both campaigned against the site in recent years

Dawn Booth, who has lived near the site her entire life, said there had been a notable increase in unpleasant smells over the past month.

The 57-year-old described the stench as an "eggy, foul and awful Christmas present", adding she had previously considered moving away.

"I came into my porch and I thought my husband had left [behind] the poo bags for the dogs," she said.

Ms Booth added her 82-year-old mother Mavis Cooper was particularly incensed by the issue, and had attended a number of local protests demanding action from bosses.

"No-one seems to care that it makes us feel sick," she said.

Lee-Bernadette Walford says the smell is worse than ever

Lee-Bernadette Walford, a former nurse and barrister, has been a key figure in the Stop The Stink campaign.

The group had pushed for the landfill site to be shut down and welcomed the EA's recent announcement.

Ms Walford lives about 1.3 miles (2km) away from the site, and said it had become worse since it was ordered to close.

"It has been horrendous," the 55-year-old said.

"I went out on Boxing Day to see a few people, [and they] were saying all day it's worse than ever."

Walleys Quarry said it was focused on minimising impact on the community

A spokesperson for Walleys Quarry said it recognised how odours could affect local residents.

"The team is focused on managing the site to minimise impacts to the community around the site and we will continue to do so," they said.

Bosses added that changes in temperature and wind conditions could make a difference from one day to the next.

"On colder or still days when there is fog, the odours are not dispersed as quickly," the spokesperson added.

"[They] may remain around the vicinity of the site for longer."