Egg farm apologises to village for fly nightmare

A poultry farm has apologised for causing a fly infestation in a neighbouring village.

Earlier this month, residents in Sileby, Leicestershire, told the BBC their lives had been made "intolerable" by the high number of flies plaguing their homes.

Sunrise Eggs, which operates on the edge of the village, said it had been emptying its manure store and this work, combined with the heat, had led to an increase in fly activity.

The company added it had since improved its manure management measures and this had led to a reduction in fly numbers.

Robert Stephenson, the firm's chief operation officer, said: "We apologise to local residents for the temporary inconvenience and take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of our operations on the surrounding environment."

Colin and Helen Readwin, who live on Heathcote Drive, were among those unhappy about the situation.

"This year, we believe, the fly infestation in this bungalow has been the worst it's been in the six years we've been here," said Colin.

Their neighbour Lynn Hill was similarly affected.

"It's awful," she said. "Every minute I'm in my living room I can't put food out or anything like that. It is horrendous."

"They're landing on me. It's been going on now for a whole month, how they get in or whatever, I don't know.

"It's the sheer volume of flies, its intolerable, it really is."

Charnwood Borough Council previously told the BBC it had pinpointed the farm, based in Seagrave Road, as the most likely cause of the infestation.

A spokesperson said: "Officers have visited the farm, and the operators already have mitigation measures in place and further controls have been added following the clearing of a shed, which is likely to have increased fly activity.

"The measures include further insecticidal treatment and reviewing the management of waste."

The council said it was hopeful the issue had been tackled, but added: "We will continue to monitor the situation and are working with the Environment Agency which issues a permit to the site to operate the poultry farm."

Meanwhile the farm says it wants to keep communication open with the villagers.

Stephenson said: "Being a responsible member of the local community is a core principle of how [Sunrise Eggs] operates.

"We will continue to work closely with the relevant authorities, listen carefully to feedback from local residents, maintaining an open and constructive dialogue with the communities of Leicestershire."

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