HI-TECH equipment will be used to stop smells coming from Southend's sewage treatment centre if plans for an extension are approved, a water company has said.

Anglian Water moved to allay fears over the proposed expansion of the works in Stock Road, Southend, insisting unpleasant smells would be kept to a minimum.

Southend councillors have put the plans on hold until they can visit similar schemes around the country to look at their impact on the community.