Shepherd Neame brewery has admitted being the source of a “horrendous stench” which can be smelt across Faversham.

The lives of residents and business owners have been blighted by the reek of the new water recovery plant in North Lane, opened and celebrated by the then Secretary of State Owen Paterson.

Since it was installed six months ago, the smell has only become worse.

People have whiffed the pungent, sewage-like aroma as far away as Newton Road and Abbey Street but it is worse in neighbouring Partridge Lane, Thomas Road and West Street.

Mark Gardner, of Partridge Lane, said: “We have noticed the stench intermittently as far back as February last year but over the last three months it has been constant.

“When sitting out in our garden we have to come in as it is so bad. We have to close our windows and sometimes it’s even bad with the windows shut.

“At times it does affect the town centre and we’ve had reports of it smelling in Preston Street, Newton Road and Abbey Street.

“We have lived with the smell of malt and hops for many years and we love that, but this is something different and will detract from tourism.”

Pam Kingsnorth, of West Street, said: “There’s definitely a stench in West Street and there has been for quite some time.

“It’s enough to put anyone off walking up the street and, with the Hop Festival on its way, with thousands of people coming in, it’s not going to make the greatest first impression.

“The smell could override the smell of hops!”

Faye Rogers, who works at Gullivers, in West Street, said: “We are definitely aware of this smell which has been going on for quite some time – not every day, but sometimes it is worse than others. It smells similar to a sewer – maybe not as strong but still not pleasant.

“A lot of our customers mention it when they come in as well, which isn’t great for us. We have never known where it has come from.”

Both Swale Borough Council and the Environment Agency are investigating the smell and head brewer Richard Frost has confirmed that Shepherd Neame is working on fixing the problem.

Mr Frost said: “After implementing our new water recovery plant, we are aware of an intermittent odour from the site.

“This is from natural material, which is a by-product of our water recovery process.

“We are investing further in specialist measures to counteract the problem and work is already well underway.”

A spokesman for the Environment Agency, Auria Dee, said: “We are supporting our partners at Swale Borough Council as they lead an investigation into odour issues in the Faversham area.

"We will continue to monitor the situation closely and work to resolve the issue as soon as possible.”