RESIDENTS in Colne have pledged to fight bosses at a factory they claim is polluting their area.

Waterside residents say emissions from Colne Anodising, which moved to a site in Garden Street last year, hangs in the air and obscures buildings.

And a public meeting has already been held to discuss concerns, with ward councillor, Ian Robinson, also set to raise the matter before Pendle Council's Colne and District committee, at Colne Town Hall, on Thursday, from 7pm.

Coun Robinson said: "The plume coming from the factory changes colour. Sometimes it can be yellow, brown or grey. It's also very dense, it can hang in the air and doesn't seem to fade in the way you would expect.

"Residents feel the chimney stack should be made much higher than it is to solve the problems. It's in a residential area and there should be consideration for that. The local pub, the Lord Rodney, is often hidden from view and it has a visual impact on the whole area. It simply doesn't look good to people coming here.

"The community is ready for a fight if necessary."

The campaigners have been backed by local Friends of the Earth campaigner, Brian Jackson, who said the valley is "noted for its difficult microclimate, which exacerbates any pollution by trapping it".

Philip Starkie, managing director of Colne Anodising, said: "We have had no complaints from residents.

"We have been based in Colne for 40 years and employ 30 people. We had to move from our previous location due to circumstances beyond our control.

"We are licensed by Pendle Council and when we looked to move premises we had to go through an application process and there were no objections.

"Our business is very strictly regulated and we operate according to the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act.

"I would ask residents to get in touch with us as we would be happy to show them round or hold question and answer sessions."