A PUTRID stench is making life unbearable for a Widnes company.

Rob Ewan says the smell is so bad, he is now looking for alternative premises outside Halton.

He employs 35 people at his installation and manufacturing company in Macdermott Road, West Bank.

His firm carries out repair for councils and builders and makes windows, doors and conservatories.

Company director, Mr Ewan, aged 39, from Tarbock, said: “We’ve been complaining about this smell for 18 months.

“It is putrid, like burnt oil and vomit. We are all suffering with it. It makes us feel sick and even lingers in your car.”

He said Halton Council’s environmental officers have come out to investigate the complaint but the problem has still not been resolved.

Mr Ewan said: “The smell is so bad, we can’t open any windows. It is embarrassing when we have visitors for meetings.

“I have to explain and make excuses, it is embarrassing.

“We have fitted an air conditioning unit to circulate only the inside air.

“I have a duty to my employees. We are now being forced to move out of our property.

“Manufacturing equipment is plumbed in here so we will have to find suitable premises.”

A Halton Council spokesman said: “Benson’s Oils is one of the potential sources of the odours that are currently being investigated. Benson’s is subject to regulation by the council and following the initial complaints in May 2011, an improvement programme was agreed with the Company.

“Most of these improvements have now been made on site, including the construction of a new building and some modifications to the process operation.

“Complaints are however persisting.

“The environmental protection team is currently in discussions with the council’s legal team to identify what further measures can be required of the company. ”