CALLS have been made to relocate an Exmouth shellfish factory because of the smell it makes.

The move comes a week after East Devon District Council announced it had withdrawn East Devon Shellfish's operating approval amid food safety concerns.

Exmouth town councillor Ken Harper said the situation at the Littleham-based processing plant had got so bad at times people "could not go out" because of the smell.

He said: "I don't want to close a business but I don't think it is in the right place.

"The company now has to come back and tell us what it is intending to do but I will see if we can get it moved."

Cllr Harper said the issue had been going on for around 20 years.

He also said it had been useful going to the district council's executive board meeting in August with resident Marion Scott, who lives next to the factory.

Mrs Scott said she was asked to keep a record of the days when the smell was bad and did this for about two months.

She said: "The factory closing is a good thing as it gives the owners a clear message that standards have not been acceptable. If it does reopen, it will have to follow strict rules laid down by EDDC."

Sue Saunders, 63, of Bidmead Close, Littleham, said: "The ideal situation is for it to move to a non-residential area."

Nobody from East Devon Shellfish was available for comment.