FURIOUS residents told how they are having to wear face masks due to the horrendous smell coming from a neighbouring flat.

Homeowners, living at Catherine Lodge, Baxter Avenue, Southend, say housing association Notting Hill Genesis is refusing to act over the issue.

They say the smell is awful, almost chocking, and are demanding action is taken immediately.

Robert Neilson, 50, said: “The smell is so bad now that we are having to wear face masks all the time.

“The fact is this resident is passing waste all over his flat and it’s not being cleaned up. It means there is now a serious and deadly bacteria in the air.

“The risk of disease and even worse is great.

“I have spoken to the housing association on various occasions and nothing is being done. I think it’s disgusting that nobody is dealing with this and we shouldn’t have to put up with it.” Valerie Marsh, 61, said the situation can’t go on. She said: “It’s what everyone is talking about and we are not prepared to stand for it.

“It’s been going on for months now and is completely unacceptable.

“What we are paying our rates for - as it’s clearly not for any decent service.

“It’s shameful that the association hasn’t dealt with this.”

A spokesperson for Notting Hill Genesis said they were aware of the issues and have been working with Southend Adult Social Care, which is aware of the situation, and other care providers to try and resolve it.

He said: “We have also informed the environmental health teams.

“We will now continue to work with our partners in adult social care to ensure the care support they provide meets this individual’s specific needs.”

A Southend Council spokesperson said: “We advise residents with concerns raise the matter with their landlord in the first instance, in this case Genesis.

“If this does not resolve the issue, then the residents can contact the council’s environmental health team, who can look into the complaints regarding odour.”