Sewage from Newhaven is being blamed for a stench in East Worthing.

The smell from Southern Water's sewage treatment works near Brooklands Park, East Worthing, has been making nearby residents gag for months.

Now the water company has revealed it thinks shipments of sewage from Newhaven could be causing the problem and have stopped them being treated at the plant following dozens of complaints from residents.

Representatives of Southern Water and East Worthing Action Group (Ewag) have met East Worthing MP Tim Loughton to discuss the problem, along with residents who say the stench has ruined barbecues and garden parties.

At the meeting, residents heard the Newhaven waste is among the "smelliest in the business" because it is untreated before it is taken to the plant.

And they were told certain residents would be given a special code to use when contacting Southern Water about any future smells.

Ewag co-founder Colin Gregg said he was pleased the company is taking the matter seriously but dubbed news about the Newhaven shipments an unwelcome surprise.

He said: "I asked why they couldn't keep it over there.

"They explained not all sewage works have process plants and they have to move the stuff to places where it can be processed.

"Unfortunately, it means we're dumped with the smelly stuff.

"I do not know how the residents of Newhaven will take the news. I don't think they will be pleased to be branded among the smelliest." Mr Gregg added: "I'm pleased Southern Water has taken a positive approach to the problem.

"I think the firm will follow through with stopping the smell. It's just a pity it has taken so long to get to this stage."

MP Mr Loughton said he would liaise with Southern Water.

He said: "Southern Water is quite good at solving problems but not at preventing new ones.

"People's frustration comes from complaining, being told it's sorted out and then another problem comes along."

Southern Water made a multi-million pound investment to improve sewage treatment at the Western Road, Lancing, site but the complex machinery involved has proved problematic.

The company's operations director, Martin Baggs, said the treatment site deals with sludge from Shoreham and Newhaven.

Unlike waste from Shoreham, the Newhaven sludge was not given an initial chemical treatment before being transported in skips to East Worthing.

"There are different types of sludge, the sludge from Newhaven is probably one of the smelliest sludge in the business," he added.

The company has stopped waste from Newhaven being treated at East Worthing while it investigates ways of dealing with it.