Swale council has said the lime-treated sludge which caused a stink on Sheppey last summer will not be spread again this year.

Instead of enjoying the little sun we had last year, many residents closed windows to keep out the dreadful smell which was put down to the spreading of sewage and paper sludge on fields.

At one stage it was so bad that people were walking around with their hands over their noses and there was even a report of somebody being sick in the street

But Swale council has been working closely with the Environment Agency to ensure Island don’t have to suffer the stench again this year.

Some of the worst hit areas were Leysdown and Warden, which were being spread with lime-treated sludge.

The council has reached a voluntary agreement, with the water company which imported and spread the sludge, that the lime-treated waste will not be imported to the area between May and September this year, which is when it would have most impact.

However, the spreading of other sludges will still take place.

A council spokesman said it was important for farmers to fertilize their fields between harvesting and sowing crops and the use of such fertilizers reduce the need for landfill of wastes.

The spokesman added: “There were many sludge spreading activities on agricultural land in Swale last year, of which the vast majority went practically unnoticed.

“However, there were a small handful of incidents which resulted in a number of complaints.

“We are confident that these measures will have the effect of reducing excessive odour from spreading activities this summer, and that a suitable balance will be reached between the agricultural community, and other residents and holiday makers,” he said.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely.”