MP Charlie Elphicke is demanding the government finally stops a foul farm stench plaguing the district every summer.

The Dover and Deal MP says that some people were forced to stay inside during the sweltering heat last week because of the powerful smell coming from some farmers’ fields.

The stench was so strong that residents in Ripple kept their windows shut and were unable to hang their washing outside.

Now Mr Elphicke wants the government to stop farmers who use waste as fertiliser from repeatedly producing the pong.

He said: “The stink of this is that it happened last year and every year before that.

“It’s unacceptable that people are unable to open their windows during the sweltering summer heat because of this awful smell.

“This problem could be solved by simply making sure farmers are required to plough their field within 24 hours.

“That’s why I’ll be writing to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs demanding they put this into law.

“It’s wrong our summers are plagued by this foul stench every year.”

Among those residents in Ripple affected by the smell were Trevor and Linda Vince.

Mr Vince said: “The smell is so bad it’s indescribable. It was so putrid you couldn’t open the window or sit outside.”

Mrs Vince added: “The grandchildren came to visit but they said they had to go home after just two days because the smell was horrendous.

“We can’t put the washing on the line either because the stench clings to your clothes.
“This is the worst summer for it we have known.”