A BANBURY firm tonight admitted it had “contributed” to a pungent smell which had been annoying neighbours.

Paintbox has pledged to spend £1m on a filter to stop fumes, which some people had suggest smelt of cat pee.

About 100 people turned out for a public meeting on Thursday at Burchester Place Community Hall.

Managing director James Sharp admitted his factory in Middleton Close was partly responsible for the smell.

The firm said: “While Paintbox is operating within all known limits for emissions, the company acknowledged that some of the abatement techniques employed at the Banbury site could have a contributing effect to the problems.

“As a result of independent studies Paintbox has committed to a £1m investment in additional abatement.”

The £1m filtration system would take 18 weeks to build. No start date has been set, but residents were told it would be in place by next summer.

Ann Bonner, Cherwell district councillor for Grimsbury, said the odour affected about 600 homes in Banbury.

She said: “The bottom line is he is prepared to do something, which we welcome. There are other smells in Banbury, but not quite as unpleasant.”

Cherwell District Council is due to set out a time scale for the filtration system to be installed.

James Macnamara, executive member for resources and communications, said: “Independent expert OdourNet was called in at Cherwell’s insistence and Paintbox has agreed to take a range of measures to ensure its emissions pose no further nuisance to nearby residents.”