The toxic smell became so bad that George Thompson, 76, who lives off Wood End, got together a petition to put an end to it.

He said the smell became worse at weekends, and suspected it came from the reycling plant located on Sandy Lane.

”Words can’t describe the smell, but I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. It gets so bad at times I daren’t go outside,” he said. ”I already suffer from asbestosis, and don’t need any more irritants on my lungs.

A spokesman for Notts County Council, which regulates the site, confirmed they had received complaints from local residents about alleged burning and odours, particularly at the weekend.

”Officers visited the site and it is understood that wood stockpiles have been ignited by cinders from fires set during the demolition of the adjoining industrial unit. Steps have now been taken by Notts Recycling Limited to extinguish fires and to control any further recurrent fires,” said the spokesman.

”The site will continue to be monitored by Notts County Council.”