Fife Council say they are "taking appropriate action" following the terrible smell lingering over Dunfermline the last few days. 

The local authority says the stench is being caused by the spreading of lime cake on land at the former opencast mine site at Muir Dean in Crossgates. 

SEPA told the Press they will be attending the site today. 

A catalogue of complaints have been made by readers calling on Fife Council and SEPA to take action with some saying the smell is making them feel "physically sick". 

Residents have also received a leaflet through their door blaming the foul odour on Muir Dean and called on locals to complain to the Council's environmental services phone line. 

The leaflets claim, "THIS WILL STINK  FOR MONTHS!!!" and that the manager /owner of the site doesn't care. 

Don Taylor, Lead Officer for Public Protection, said: "We have received a large number of complaints about a bad smell in the Dunfermline area following the spreading of lime cake on land at the former opencast mine site at Muir Dean.

"We have visited the site and can assure the public that we are taking appropriate action. There is no need to contact the council about this. We will post updates on Facebook, Twitter and Fife Direct."

A spokesperson from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said: “Every day SEPA works to protect and enhance Scotland’s environment. We have received a number of complaints regarding odours in the Dunfermline area from the spreading of sewage sludge which is the remit of Fife Council.

“SEPA is carrying out an investigation in response to complaints alleging that the odour is caused by animal waste being stored in Muir Dean.

“We are clear that compliance is non-negotiable and our officers are attending the site today to investigate.”

Commenting, MSP for Dunfermline, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “I’ve been contacted by a number of constituents regarding the bad smell which has been lingering over Dunfermline and surrounding areas recently. This has been a source of significant discomfort to many local residents.

“I understand that the source of the smell is the Muir Dean mine site in Crossgates, where large quantities of fertiliser are being spread.

“I have been engaging with Fife Council’s Environmental Health team in order to ensure that appropriate action is being taken to investigate this matter. We need to ensure that work like this is conducted responsibly so as to not be detrimental to surrounding communities.”