An oil refinery which may be responsible for a foul stench over Canvey has been ordered to investigate the possible cause.

BP's oil refinery at Coryton has been served with an enforcement notice by the Environment Agency forcing staff to look into the problem.

Angry residents bombarded councillors, police and fire brigade when the sickening cabbage-like smell of gas lingered over Canvey a fortnight ago.

Inspectors from the Government agency identified the refinery, just across the Thames estuary from Canvey, as a potential major source of the smell.

Investigations are still under way into other possible causes, such as the gas terminal and oil storage facilities on Canvey or waste disposal sites in Basildon.

BPspokeswoman Pat Robson said: "Weather conditions at the time indicated that the refinery was a likely source.

"From the time of the first complaints we have taken this matter seriously and have carried out a number of actions including a thorough check of the refinery and extra laboratory tests.

"The enforcement notice served by the Environment Agency is a bit like a yellow card or a warning.

"BP has no wish to cause any offence to its neighbours and we will continue to do everything possible to minimise the impact of our operations."

Canvey county councillor Ray Howard said: "The residents of Canvey did go through hell.

"There were so many complaints both to Castle Point Council and other people including myself and obviously an investigation had to take place.

"I do not like to see companies like BP getting enforcement notices. They produce oil and petrol that we desperately need to run our vehicles and employ a lot of people in our area.

"BP has assured me it is looking at all aspects to see where the emissions were coming from."

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