UNPLEASANT smells which have plagued an area of Colchester in recent weeks should end soon, a water company has assured residents.People living near the Haven Road sewage works, on the Whitehall Industrial Estate, have complained of a revolting odour at night.

UNPLEASANT smells which have plagued an area of Colchester in recent weeks should end soon, a water company has assured residents.

People living near the Haven Road sewage works, on the Whitehall Industrial Estate, have complained of a revolting odour at night.

And even during recent hot weather some householders have felt compelled to close windows while trying to sleep because of the dreadful smell.

Yesterday Dave Smith, chairman of the Old Heath Residents Association, said he was prepared to organise a mass-boycott of water rate payment among members unless works owner Anglian Water resolved the problem.

"Four weeks ago there was an unbearable smell. It was like rotten eggs. It was like those stink bombs you used to get at school, only far worse," he said.

"I phoned up the borough council, and they told me they had received dozens of complaints.

"If it persists, we are going to organise residents in the area to withdraw their water rates as a form of protest."

Mr Smith said he had heard there was a problem with a tank at the premises.

Association member Debbie Lloyd, who lives in Speedwell Road, said: "One night we had all the windows open because it was really hot and the smell from the sewage works was really strong.

"We had to close all the windows and then ring Anglian Water."

But Dan Baker, a spokesman for the company, said yesterday: "There has been a problem within the site and that's being fixed.

"To sort out the problems we are clearing a lot of sludge out of one of the tanks and a truck is coming tomorrow to take it away.

"Because of that it could be bad today or tonight, but it's taking one step backward to take two steps forward.

"We have been working very closely with Colchester Borough Council and local residents in this.

"Around 20 residents have been keeping diaries and logging times and dates when it has been bad."