The owners of Chatham Docks have said a huge pile of smouldering wood causing a stink should be removed within three weeks.

Peel Ports Medway has written to residents who complained for almost two months about the pong given off by stockpiled wood chippings.

The decomposing pile has been producing an acrid smell since September, leading angry members of the St Mary’s Island Residents’ Association to set up a meeting with the Environment Agency.

Peel general manager Craig Bassett is due to write to all nearby residents on Monday.

His letter says: "The stockpile has now been reduced by more than two-thirds and we expect the remainder to be removed from site by Friday, November 18."

Peel also said it will no longer store wood and baled waste in the St Mary’s area of the port.