THE stench from Arla foods Settle Creamery has been described by one resident as living with the smell of 'weeks old sour milk'.

Angry Residents have been taking to social media to complain about smells coming from the creamery, at Sowarth Field Industrial Estate, which first started around Christmas last year. Calls have also been made to residents to raise their concerns with Skipton MP Sir Julian Smith.

In May this year, Arla told the Craven Herald it had recently completed work at the creamery aimed at 'significantly increasing output at the site'. At the time, the company said it had seen an 'unexpected increase in a harmless odour', that it believed it had found a solution and was working to rectify it as soon as possible.

But six months on, and residents say nothing has changed, despite more complaints to Arla and to the Environment Agency.

They say the stench is not constant but when it does come there is no warning and is overwhelming.

Washing cannot be put out, outside activities such as barbecues are ruined and people wear face masks to carry out tasks such as mowing the lawn.

While there are around 30 households in the immediate area, if the wind is in the right direction, the creamery can be smelt as far away as Giggleswick School, it is claimed.

A resident, who wishes not to be named, said: "I would describe the smell like if you spilt a load of milk in your car and then went away and left it in the heat for a couple of weeks. It's that bad, it's not all the time, but when it is its awful, and it can be smelt all over Settle."

An Arla Foods spokesperson said: "We are very much aware of the intermittent odour issues being experienced by local residents. We always strive to be a good neighbour and we are extremely sympathetic about the impact of this issue. We are doing all we can to address this situation as quickly as we can."

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “We know the impacts that odour can have on the community and we sympathise with those affected.

“We have been in ongoing discussions with Arla Foods about measures it can take to manage the odours coming from its site. This includes reducing odours from the effluent treatment plant.

“Our officers are monitoring the site to ensure the company acts to improve the situation for local residents.”