FED-UP families in Menstrie say they're sick of the stench that's forcing them to stay indoors as Clacks swelters in a heatwave.

The “unbearable”, “eye-watering” and “nauseating” smell comes from a variety of sources, according to Clackmannanshire Council, including manure spreading on nearby fields and issues at the food factory owned by the Kerry Group.

Angry residents have taken to social media to express their disgust with Samantha Currie saying: “I can’t open my windows as I genuinely feel sick, I also can’t keep my windows closed as the smell is in the house and with the heat, it is unbearable!”

Councillor Dave Clark confirmed the odours had also reached Alva and described it as “eye-watering”.

Cllr Darren Lee, who lives in Tullibody, said the issue had been ongoing since the beginning of the month and was still receiving complaints from residents there as of last week.

He said: “Residents from Menstrie in particular find the smell ‘nauseating’ and ‘unbearable’.

“Some note that they are having to stay inside and keep their windows and vents closed.

“It's far from ideal that this is happening during this hot spell we are having.

“I appreciate that issues like this will arise from time to time.”

But he added that “there is always more that can be done” on all sides and was disappointed the factory had not issued a statement to reassure residents.

Clackmannanshire Council reassured residents that the environmental health team was monitoring the situation and were liaising with the manufacturers to resolve the issue.

Owners of the factory said measures had been put in place and investigations were ongoing with consultants brought in to identify what more could be done.

It is believed the main source of the smell is a waste treatment facility at the Kerry factory.

A spokesman for the Kerry Group told the Advertiser: “Because of the current heat, there are additional pressures.

“The recent weather conditions are exacerbating the situation regards to effluent treatment.

“We are working and collaborating with the council and with environmental health officers.

“We have already put in place some additional remedial measures, which have actually reduced the overall impact of the current situation.”

A spokeswoman for Clackmannanshire Council said: “Over the last week, Menstrie and surrounding areas have been affected by different sources of odour, including manure spreading on nearby fields and problems with Kerry waste water treatment facility.

“This has been exacerbated by the recent weather conditions.

“Council officers have carried out visits to identify the sources of these odours, and Kerry has already put in place remedial measures which appear to have reduced the overall impact of the current odour source, although some odours have continued.

“Kerry is carrying out further investigations to get to the bottom of the source of the current problem and to identify measures to prevent it from recurring.

“Council officers will continue to monitor the situation until this is resolved.”