AN ANGRY New Ferry resident is preparing to take on a public body over the sewage stench coming from a new water treatment works.

Debbie Fawdry claims her family has been unable to use their garden since the United Utilities plant became operational in December.

The Eccleshall Road, New Ferry, local says: "We have put up with vile smells from the plant for the past six months - if it is not sewage then there is an overpowering smell of bleach.

"I have three children and they won't go in the garden because it is so bad. We have even considered moving house but are worried that we wouldn't be able to sell."

And she told the Globe: "We have complained to the company and the council's pollution department but feel we are being fobbed off. Now we've had enough."

Debbie says that when she complained to United Utilities she was informed that due to an EU ruling, the plant was forced to become operational in December but that there were teething problems.

United Utilities also promised residents that the land would be returned to its original state with hawthorn bushes and other trees and shrubs planted to repair damage done by building work.

But she says: "They haven't come up with the goods and when we look out of the window, it looks like a prison perimeter fence. It's awful."

Wirral South MP Ben Chapman says: "I am very concerned to learn of the problems and will be taking the matter up with United Utilities. Nobody should have to endure living under these conditions and I will be doing everything in my power to bring the matter to a speedy resolution."

A spokesperson for the pollution department at Wirral Council says: "The smell over the last weekend was partly due to the stocks of a chemical used to eliminate the smell, being depleted.

"We are satisfied that United Utilities has now remedied this. The smell of bleach referred to is from sodium hypochlorite. If Mrs Fawdry is still concerned then we would be happy to speak to her."

A spokesperson for United Utilities, says: "We are investigating the possibility of odours from Bromborough wastewater treatment works with scientific 'sniff' tests which are due to be carried out over the coming months. All work will be carried out with minimum disruption to residents.

"We will also be liasing with the local environmental health officer in their investigations to discover where any odours are coming from.

"The site has been landscaped with hedges, shrubs and trees but these will take some time to establish. We also have an ongoing maintenance programme in place with a team of contractors due to start work to control weeds."