The smell from a refuse tip near Liskeard is getting worse according to people living in the area.

The Lean Quarry site, which receives around 60 lorry loads of waste a day, has been used as a landfill site for more than three years.

Farmer Michael Squire, who lives near Trewidland, said: 'The smell isn't every day but it is disgusting when the weather is right. Sometimes it causes such a stench.

'It used to be a stone quarry and now it is a refuse tip for rubbish from Plymouth.'

Around half of the current input at the site, owned by recycling and waste management company, Viridor, comes from across the Tamar and the other 50 per cent is from Cornwall.

'Viridor continually makes every effort to be a good neighbour,' said Terry Farrant, manager of Lean landfill site.

Improvements have been made to the gas collection system allowing better control of the landfill gas and it is regularly updated and monitored.

'We would like to assure the local community that every effort is being made to implement these site improvements and address the concerns that have been raised with us,' added Mr Farrant.

Roy Lethbridge from nearby Dobwalls and Trewidland Parish Council said: 'It has got bad in the last two years, since the rubbish from Plymouth has been coming.'

A spokeswoman for Viridor said: 'Lean landfill site has received a small number of odour related reports in recent weeks.'

Complaints have also been received by Caradon District Council, which it has passed on to the Environment Agency.

Following an investigation last year Viridor developed an odour action plan to try and minimise the landfill gas related odour from the site.