A HAMPSHIRE farmer has defended spreading sewage sludge on fields in the face of residents' concerns about pongs and pollution.

Micheldever parish chiefs called a public meeting last Thursday after villagers complained about human effluent from London dumped on land near their homes.

Chairman of Micheldever Parish Council, William Helen, said problems included smell from stockpiling and possible contamination of private wells and water aquifers.

Mr Helen said farmyard smells were acceptable to most country dwellers, but human sewage was "particularly pungent and obnoxious."

He said residents wanted answers to questions such as "Why is it that Thames Water effluent from London suburbs is permitted to be dumped in Hampshire?

The sludge is spread on fields near South Wonston, Woodmancott, the Candovers, Popham, Northington, Bradley and Kings Worthy.

Farmer, Michael Maxwell, said the sewage sludge had the great benefit of improving soil structure. He had seen this happen on his own farm over the years.

Mr Maxwell added the system was very well-regulated with stockpiles not allowed within 50 metres of a water borehole.

Stockpiling was permitted up to a maximum of 35 days.

The farmer said lorry-loads of effluent were weighed to limit the amount deposited on a given hectarage.

Winchester MP Mark Oaten, who also attended the meeting, said he accepted farmers needed the sludge, but people needed reassurance about possible health risks.

The Lib-Dem MP said he was reluctant to propose more laws.

Instead, he proposed to find out when non-statutory good practice was to become law and to press the Government as to whether more scientific research was needed in the UK.