26 January 2012 Last updated at 02:35 ET

Hedon residents get compensation for water plant smell

Residents affected by odours from an East Yorkshire water treatment plant are to get a compensation fund.

Campaigners in Hedon claimed a smell of "rotten eggs" from the facility, in Saltend, had led to the cancellation of barbecues and other outdoor events.

The plant's owner, Yorkshire Water, installed a £3.5m odour control unit last year to combat the problem.

The firm said it intended to "give something back to the community" as an apology.

In a statement, Yorkshire Water said: "We are keenly aware that we have had to rely on the patience and understanding of local residents for a number of years on this matter.

"We have therefore agreed, as a gesture of goodwill to the local community, to create a Community Fund to help support local projects that benefit the community in Hedon, Preston and the surrounding areas.

"We hope that this fund will be administered by a community liaison panel made up of some of your local elected representatives and various local community groups."

Councillor John Dennis, from East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: "I'm just hoping the amount of money involved is a fair amount. Bearing in mind the numbers of people who have been affected and the discomfort to which they have been put."

Mr Dennis said he was monitoring the smell from the plant and had not received any complaints since the new odour control unit was installed.

He said: "If it's not working, a compensation fund will not be sufficient to keep local residents quiet, heads will have to roll."