MORE than 300 of Mogden sewage works' neighbours took Thames Water up on its offer to take part in guided tours of the site.

The curious locals got to meet the team that runs the works and were talked through the company's plans to improve the controversial plant.

Steve Shine, Thames Water's Chief operating Officer, said: "We've given small tours here in the past but nothing on this scale. We're delighted so many people turned up to our open day to find out more about what we do here."

Visitors were escorted around the sire in mini buses, which stopped at different spots to allow people to get of and have a look around.

Over the next three years Thames Water is spending £140 million at Mogden to improve the standard to which they treat sewage and to enable the plant to "fully treat" 50 per cent more sewage than it does now.

However campaigners MRAG claim that the increase in capacity will only add to the stench that stems from the site in summer months particularly.