A BATTLE to stem the stench from a Blackburn pet food factory may be over after the firm installed an odour control system.

Blackburn with Darwen Council had taken Dugdale Davies Ltd to court after neighbours and businesses at Shadsworth Industrial Estate repeatedly complained about "atrocious" smells.

But the saga could have been ended as the company agreed this month to stop production until the system, including a new chimney unit, was completed.

Director Philip Garvey said the work had been carried out and council planning officers were expected in the next few days.

Adam Scott, director of regeneration for the council, explained: "The council, together with businesses lawfully operating near the site, have been increasingly frustrated by the ongoing issue of odour emitted from the premises over the past nine months.

"It is hoped that once the company have fitted technology required to satisfy statute the issue will be addressed.

"The company have given an undertaking to the civil court promising not to operate until specified pieces of kit have been fitted. We hope this matter will be resolved in the very near future."

Mr Garvey said: "We had always planned to shut down our operations temporarily to have the new equipment installed. The work was finished at the weekend."

He added that ordering and packing operations had continued as normal and the new equipment was to be calibrated this week to enable production to restart.

The legal battle has gone on for nine months and the firm was made subject to a court order in July and told to stop the smells by September - or stop trading.

The factory, which makes dog treats, employs 32 staff at its premises on the Shadsworth Estate.

Shadsworth councillor, Tony Humphrys, said: "Residents on Shadsworth Road, Arran Avenue, Rothesay Road and in new houses near Queen's Park Hospital were concerned at one stage as the smells were atrocious.

"The smells have not been as bad recently and hopefully if Dugdale Davies have sorted this problem it is very much welcomed."