Families living near a fire-damaged factory have complained about "offensive" chemical smells making them feel ill.

More than 40 people living on estates near Autotype International in Wantage have signed a petition to have the nuisance investigated.

The Vale of White Horse District Council's environmental health officers have also been alerted.

Last week, about 20 Autotype staff were evacuated after a serious explosion sparked a fire at the factory - the second at the site within two months. The company, which manufactures coated films for the printing and electronics industries, is investigating the cause of the blast.

One of the protesters, Faye Loder, of Bailey Close, said: "For some time now we quite often get a smell of burning chemicals in the air, which is very offensive and makes people feel ill, with headaches, sore throats, nausea and dizziness. The smell also gets into washing that has been hung out to dry, and has to be washed again." Peter Levinsohn, the company's managing director, said there had been teething problems with new equipment, resulting in the occasional unpleasant smell.

"We have been working with the suppliers to resolve those, and we believe that we have succeeded, so the problem should not occur," he said.

Story date: Friday 05 November

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