MYSTERY surrounds a chemical smell which is blighting the lives of a group of Worcester residents.

One woman living in Sherwood Lane, off Malvern Road, St John's, said it has caused her throat to burn and she has suffered sleepless nights, while another resident has been to the doctors with their symptoms.

Other residents have complained of the "burning" odour.

Worcester city councillor for Bedwardine, Alan Amos, has now taken up their case and environmental health officers have investigated but cannot find the source of the smell.

Sherwood Lane resident Lynn Saunders said the terrible smell began last September but became a constant nuisance in December, with residents suffering from the strong odour on evenings ever since.

"It is a strong smell of chemicals, constantly burning when it starts," she said.

"We are getting headaches, nausea - we are coughing all the time.

"It has burned my throat, it felt like acid inside me. I'm worried about the long term health problems.

"We cannot sleep, it started at midnight the other night.

"We are up all night having to move round our house, sleeping on the floor of the dining room and bathroom.

"It is ruining our lives."

Another Sherwood Lane resident said: "There is definitely a burning smell, someone is obviously trying to get rid of wood by burning it at night."

A resident in Malvern Road, who also did not want to be named, said: "I've lived here 53 years, it is definitely not coming from the sewage plant near here as it is a different smell.

"I would say it is chemicals.

"Visitors have noticed it when they have been round."

Cllr Amos said: "I met with residents to discuss this issue, and Environmental Health officers have been involved.

"But to be fair to them, they can not take action unless we identity the source.

"At the moment it is a mystery.

"One theory is that it is a woodburner, burning wood treated with paint.

"One of the residents went to the doctors with their symptoms, and the doctor said he needed guidance what the smell was.

"If anyone else in the area is suffering, let me know so I can build the evidence."

A Worcester City Council spokesman said: “Environmental health officers have investigated and have not been able to trace the source of the odour.

"If the source can be traced we would be able to issue advice to the person responsible and, if necessary, serve an abatement notice to ensure the nuisance is stopped and does not re-occur."

Anyone suffering from the smell is asked to contact Worcestershire Regulatory Services on 01905 822 799. Cllr Amos can be contacted by e-mailing alan.amos@worcester.gov.uk.