People living near the Nestlé Purina factory in Sudbury, Suffolk, have claimed that a £250,000 scheme to reduce unpleasant odours from the plant has “not worked”.

Nestlé Purina Pet Care has come under fire repeatedly over the past decade for failing to stop the foul smell caused by steam emanating from its Northern Road premises on the Chilton industrial estate.

Although the emissions do not pose any danger to public health, and comply with environmental guidelines, residents of nearby streets have said they are unable to sit in their gardens during summer because of the smell.

In April last year, the company set up a new liaison group, invested more than £250,000 in equipment to help decrease emission sources and installed new software to help them monitor emissions more effectively.

However, resident George Buffham, who lives in Windermere Road, claims the measures have failed.

“Recently, the smell coming from the factory was absolutely sickening," he told the East Anglian Daily Times.

“I know they have invested a lot of money which they said would stop the smell but it clearly has not worked.

“I have been reporting this for the past six years to no avail. Residents shouldn’t have to put up with it.”

County and district councillor, John Sayers, is on the liaison group.

He said: “I have received several calls in the past week or so from people complaining about the smell coming from the factory.

“I have been asked to liaise with the local environmental officer and I have called a meeting of the liaison group to discuss the problem again.

“I am of the opinion that the factory should stop operating while complaints about smell are investigated.”

No-one from Purina’s health and safety department was available to give a formal response.

However a spokesperson said there was a formal complaints procedure with a special questionnaire for complainants to fill in.

She said all complaints were taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.

Meanwhile a spokeswoman for the Environment Agency told the newspaper: “We are aware of the complaint made at the weekend and have responded to it.

“We are continuing to work closely with Purina to ensure the company undertakes the necessary actions to further reduce odours coming from the factory.”