A CHEMICAL plant is to launch an investigation into reports of loud noises, which neighbours claim are coming from the site.

Residents near Nipa Laboratories, Oswaldtwistle, have been phoning the company complaining about humming sounds at night.

The firm is currently being investigated by the Environment Agency and Hyndburn Council after two gas leaks in seven months.

Last month a cloud of hydrogen chloride and sulphur dioxide escaped from the Nook Lane plant, following a similar incident in May.

Neighbours raised the issue of a loud humming noise, which they said was coming from the factory, at a public meeting, following the latest leak, on November 26.

One resident, who said the plant was "almost in his back garden", claimed he had heard noises "coming out of the factory late at night and early in the morning".

But Nipa bosses say they cannot determine whether the noises are coming from the plant and have called in experts to find the source of the problem. A team from Salford University's acoustics and audio engineering department will test noise levels in the area.

Site director Armas Best said: "We have had a few people telephoning us over recent months because they have heard noises, particularly at night.

"Neither they nor we are sure whether the noise has been coming from our site, but we have decided to do something about it.

"We have asked the experts to conduct a thorough survey of all noise sources in the area, including our plant, to identify any noise which may be coming from us and recommend ways of reducing it.

"The survey will take a few weeks to complete and we're anxious to ensure everyone knows what is going on if the experts turn up in their street in the early hours."

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