I WRITE re 'Why can't they combat stench?' (Wiltshire Times Letters, September 13).

I would like to reassure Mr Steve White that action IS being taken at the highest level.

Dr Murrison MP, although invited, was unable to attend a meeting called last week and as a member of his staff, having had previous experience on the same issue here in Hampshire over a period of some 10 years, I was requested to attend.

The meeting, included Cllr Tom James, a West Wilts District Council Environmental Health Officer and Wessex Water's area manager.

As a result, meetings were agreed to be set up by WWDC on a regular basis with the above team and will in future include members of a local community group.

The first will be held in early October, minutes will be taken and made publicly available.

Any action proposed will therefore be regularly monitored and clear for everybody to see.

Wessex Water has stated that it is keen to reduce the problem, notwithstanding that it is of course possible for it to be prosecuted by WWDC if it fails to do so.

To date it has held one open day and a further is proposed shortly to enable anyone to see the efforts that it is indeed making.

B C Munden

Research Director to Andrew Murrison MP,

Castle Street,

Portchester,

Hants.