A BUSINESSMAN kicked up a stink after finding a dozen rotting chickens creating a horrible smell at the back of his store.

Michael Stirling said the remains of vast amounts of takeaway food had been dumped on land owned by Railtrack at the top of Gilnow Road, in Deane.

He said unwanted vegetables and drums of oil were left among piles of cardboard.

The smell became so bad it made his 12 staff feel ill.

Environmental Health were contacted and an officer arrived to investigate his complaint.

She was so overcome by the stench that she was close to being sick.

Mr Stirling said: "The smell is putting off my customers and I find it disgraceful that anybody could be allowed to dump this sort of stuff.

Complaining

"Customers are complaining to us all the time. Something like this could seriously harm by business.

"It's just like a tip around here."

Mr Stirling owns M&S Fitted Bedrooms, on Gilnow Lane, Deane, and has been based in the area for 11 years.

Bolton Council environmental health officers are working with Railtrack, who own the land, to clean-up the mess.

A spokesman said: "The first report were had on the matter was on Wednesday. Our inspectors are looking into it and working with Railtrack to get the chickens removed as soon as possible."

The nature of the waste means those involved in the clean-up will have to wear protective clothing.

Railtrack said: "We have notified the contractors for the site and a specialist will be popping down to clear up the waste."