EAST Lancashire MP Gordon Prentice is kicking up a stink over foul smells.
He says they can drive people to sickness, depression and even out of their homes.
The Labour backbencher wants tough action from the Government to freshen up Britain's air.
He believes that current legislation is inadequate to tackle the bad odour problem than can make life a misery for thousands of people and councils need new powers to tackle the problem.
Currently, local authorities have theoretical powers to control smells considered a 'statutory nuisance' under the 1990 Environmental Protection Act, but no guidance as to their use has ever been issued by Whitehall.
They also have more detailed powers under the Act to regulate smells and air pollution from industrial processes.
Pendle MP Mr Prentice, who has been quizzing Environment Minister Michael Meacher on the issue at Westminster, believes existing powers are not enough.
He said: "I want the Government to conduct a major review of legislation covering smells in the atmosphere.
"Terrible smells can have a major impact on people's health, plunging them into depression."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article