DOZENS of local residents turned up at a meeting to hear United Utilities' proposals for future improvement works at Davyhulme sewage works.

The meeting, called by Stretford and Urmston MP Bev Hughes, was held at St Mary's school, Davyhulme on Friday.

Residents from across Davyhulme put forward their concerns about the intensity of the smell and trailers leaving the Davyhulme site carrying sewage in soil form.

A total of £100m was spent in 1998 on environmental works, which included reducing the problems with odour from the site.

Brian Jackson from United Utilities told SUM the bulk of the money was spent on ammonia removal which was linked with odour control.

Work will begin at the Davyhulme plant in December this year on odour control measures.

The £19m investment is the first time money has been set aside to specifically tackle the problem of the smell.

United Utilities also plans to install a chemical shower which will neutralise the odours.

Bev Hughes MP said she would continue to support residents with their action as long as the problem continued. She told SUM: "I welcome the action the action United Utilities is taking, but people have heard these promises before and I hope this resolves it."

* Residents will be given another chance to speak to United Utilities at the next Urmston Area Board meeting, which takes place on Tuesday October 22 at the Manor Hey Hotel, 130 Stretford Road, Urmston. United Utilites will be present during the open forum section of the meeting which starts at 6pm.