AN antiseptic smell hanging over part of an East Lancashire town has alarmed local residents and politicians.

The odour, described as ‘like TCP ’, began scenting the air unpleasantly around New Lane, Oswaldtwistle, almost two weeks ago.

Householders worried it might be a health risk contacted local Lancashire County Councillor Peter Britcliffe and his Hyndburn MP daughter Sara.

An investigation by them and Hyndburn Council traced the source of the small to the former Eagle Chemical Works at the junction of New Lane with Nook Lane and Grove Street.

The site, known locally as ‘The Chemic’, was being cleared by contractors for a housing development.

They had disturbed the surface of the ground causing the smell to emanate from the rubble and soil being removed.

Now council environmental health officers have ruled the smell ‘non-hazardous’ and ordered the covering of the debris with sheeting prior to its removal for specialist disposal.

The antiseptic smell should clear in the next 48 hours.

Oswaldtwistle’s County Cllr Britcliffe said: “I and Sara were contacted by residents in the about an unpleasant smell of TCP fluid hanging over the New Lane area.

“It’s been there for about two weeks and we were worried about whether it was hazardous and could be health risk.

“We contacted Hyndburn Council and have traced it to a long-closed works near the junction with Nook Lane and Grove Street known as ‘The Chemic’.

“It appears that it follows clearing the ground for a new housing development and disturbing the soil.

“It wasn’t a very pleasant smell so I contacted the council who sent environmental health to investigate.

“The pile of debris from the work will now be covering with sheeting and then taken away for specialist disposal.”

A Hyndburn Council spokesperson said, “The council has become aware of the odour emanating from the New Lane area. Working with a landowner and contractor the source has been identified. The council can reassure residents the odour is not believed to be hazardous and arrangements have been made to remedy the source. Residents should notice an improvement within the next 48 hours”

One nearby resident said: “We noticed the smell of antiseptic over a week ago. It really was pretty unpleasant and worrying.”