BOSSES at a textile firm have threatened legal action if staff continue to suffer from smoke generated by a neighbouring firm in Colne.

Planning chiefs had ordered that new chimneys at Furnico, at Garden Vale Mill, Greenfield Road, should be raised by at least one-and-a-half metres to overcome protests from nearby Oddies.

And the three chimneys installed there should also be fitted with after-burners to minimise the impact on the environment, says Pendle Council's development control section.

But a meeting heard that Oddies representatives are still unhappy at the blueprints and have warned they could start legal proceedings if problems recur there with wood-burning boilers used to heat the premises.

Oddies partner John Banks told Colne and District Committee that the company would be happier if the chimneys were raised to a height of three metres above their ridge line.

Mr Banks added: “When the wind is blowing in our direction, which is about one day in five, fumes and smoke blow into our premises, seeping into the fabrics which we produce.

“More importantly, it causes a serious health risk to our staff members.

“We have no problem with planning consent being given, subject to Furnico raising the height of the chimneys.”

Borough development control manager Phil Watson confirmed that various visits had been made to the premises to ensure that the chimneys could operate successfully.

“All of the prevailing information we have is that this will work and not cause a problem,” said Mr Watson.

But Mr Banks added: “If our staff continue to suffer then we want to know who to sue.”

Mr Watson told the committee that if the chimneys or after-burners failed in future, then the authority could issue plan-ning breach notices against Furnico.