People who live near a sewage works say they have been unable to soak up the sun in their gardens this summer because the smell has been so bad.

Campaigners have now organised a meeting with health officials in a bid to find an urgent solution to the stink which has ruined the recent summery weather.

Residents of Seamill Park Crescent and Seamill Park Avenue, East Worthing, have been plagued for years by an unpleasant pong.

But Tony Rainford, of Seamill Park Crescent, said it had been especially bad this summer, forcing householders to shut windows on hot evenings.

Mr Rainford said he had been unable to enjoy his garden and branded the smell "vile".

He said: "It has been awful. We have been having a lot of problems. A couple of times I have felt physically sick.

"Southern Water keeps saying they are on top of it but we know they're not. They know the sewage settlement tanks need to be covered but they won't spend the money."

Several years ago Southern Water was panned for importing stinking sludge from Newhaven for processing at Worthing.

The company, based at West Durrington, Worthing, stopped the practice after uproar from residents.

Mr Rainford said the smell was drifting over much of East Worthing and planned to meet other neighbours tomorrow night to discuss an action plan.

He said the company had pledged to tackle the problem in 2007 but people living nearby wanted work speeded up.

Mr Rainford said: "It was especially bad on Tuesday night.

"Everybody is complaining. We had some friends round and they said it stinks around here. I went out and it was horrible.

"Southern Water has sent some engineers round but they tell you all sorts of different stories."

Jessica Spratt, spokeswoman for Southern Water, said: "The company is aware of residents' concerns and has responded to them by investing £2.8 million into East Worthing Waste Water Treatment Works to cover the aeration process, which will greatly reduce odours coming from the works.

"The work is due to commence in early 2007. In the meantime, the company has introduced a temporary solution which adds odour-suppressing sprays to reduce odours and help local residents."