If you have noticed a bit of pong over the last few days, it is because of a sludge spill at Mogden water treatment works.

The sludge spill happened after the underground sludge main from the new primary settlement tanks became restricted.

On Wednesday, April 9, Thames Water began reviewing CCTV footage to establish the issue at the Mogden Lane site.

A Thames Water spokesman said: “Work to investigate a partially blocked pipe on Wednesday unfortunately led to a small spillage of sludge.

“We are sorry for any odour that might have resulted from this and can confirm that the spill was cleared away and our pipe investigation work completed on the same day.”

People living close to the works were sent an email apologising for the odour.