Residents living near a green waste composting scheme in Sutton Courtenay have complained about a stench wafting over their homes.

Residents believe the smell in the village has got worse in the past couple of months because of an increase in the amount of compost being processed at the landfill site off Appleford Sidings.

Waste Recycling Group, which runs the site, says it is now working with the Environment Agency to fix the problem.

It came as an exhibition was held at the landfill site yesterday to explain its plans for an anaerobic digester.

Sutton Courtenay Parish Pouncil chairman Mike Jenkins said: “Since the end of September, the smell has been pretty awful.

“It’s not there continuously but when it’s around it’s too unpleasant for people to be out in their gardens.

“We have complained to Environment Agency officers who monitor the site and we hope WRG can solve the problem as soon as possible.”

Father-of-one Callum McKenzie, 56, of Drayton Road, Sutton Courtenay, added: “I have lived in the village for over 50 years and the smell has never been as bad as this before.”

WRG spokesman Ross Pearson said: “The company has reviewed its operational practices at the site in recent weeks in order to identify potential sources of odour.

“WRG will continue to work to ensure that the impact from its operations on local communities is reduced to a minimum.”