A COUNCILLOR has called for an investigation into reports of a "TCP smog" in Oswaldtwistle.

Coun Peter Britcliffe said he had received a number of phone calls from residents in the Thwaites Road area about a summer smog creeping in through open windows in the early hours of the morning.

"It seems some nights there is a smog descending over Oswaldtwistle and a very strong smell of TCP," he told Hyndburn environmental services committee.

Coun Britcliffe, who lives in New Lane, Oswaldtwistle, said he had noticed the odour on a couple of occasions lately when he had been up at 6am or 7am, particularly with the windows open.

He added: "It does make us wonder what sort of pollution we are suffering in Oswaldtwistle."

Coun Bill Goldsmith said: "You never know the long term effects on people and the environment. It is important we look at this problem."

Head of environmental healt, Steve Todd said he could not comment on the smell and did not know if there had been any complaints.

Committee chairman Coun Len Dickinson said it might just be because of the hot weather but the reports would be investigated.

The council has previously carried out air monitoring in the New Lane area.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.