THE SOURCE of the stink that is plaguing a Southampton industrial estate has been identified - and authorities are working to nip the nasty niff in the bud.

environment bosses have established that the smell is coming from Millbrook wastewater treatment works and recycling centre.

The plant is situated on the other side of the railway line which runs along the back of Portswood House industrial site.

Traders said the odour had been lurking for several months but had been getting worse and was becoming bad for business.

Southampton City Council launched an investigation after business owners complained it had reached unbearable levels.

The pungent pong was compared to a variety of smells including that of farmyard sileage, rotting flesh and a combination of rabbit food and horse manure.

Last week the company experienced technical difficulties with equipment used in the treatment process, which has led to an increase in the offensive odour.

Staff at Southern Water are working with Southampton City Council's environmental health department to alleviate the problem.

A spokesman for Southampton City Council said: "The smell has been around for years," adding that the council had received complaints about it getting worse recently.

"Southampton City Council Environmental Health are working closely with Southern Water to reduce the smell. We will never get a completely odour-free sewage works but there are measures Southern Water can take to limit the smell."

A spokesman for Southern Water added: "The problem is being worked on and should be repaired by the end of the week."