A foul stench in Bury St Edmunds has been traced back to a sewage misconnection in Looms Lane.

For weeks, the town has been plagued with an unpleasant smell coming from the River Lark.

Anglian Water said last week that investigations revealed sewage was leaking into the river and, having already tried to alleviate the smell by pumping hydrogen peroxide into the water, it was now keeping its fingers crossed for rain.

Now correspondence from the Environment Agency to Bury MP David Ruffley reveals the source of the stench has been traced to a sewage misconnection at Looms Lane.

The agency, together with Anglian Water, is continuing its investigations to try to trace and stop the leak.

Mr Ruffley said: "The sewage issue needs to be sorted out fast and I am pressing Anglian Water and the Environment Agency to solve the problem.

"I find it incredible that in this day and age we are being told that we must wait for rain to be rid of this putrid smell.

"With all the technology at their disposal, is it really not possible for the Environment Agency or Anglian Water to take immediate action to speed up a solution?"