Residents of a Moray caravan park are kicking up a stink over an exposed sewage trench.
Long-term inhabitants of Riverview Country Park, at Mundole in Forres, say the track of foul-smelling waste has been making their lives a misery since Saturday morning.
The problem is the latest in a series of complaints from locals since Riverview owners Richmond Wight announced plans to transform the park into a five-star site.
Last night the group insisted the sewage issues were a result of improvement works and pledged everyone would benefit in the long run.
However, Riverview resident Jim Buchan, who owns a property near the exposed drainage system, said the “disgusting” conditions showed a lack of respect.
“Some of my neighbours were experiencing problems with their drainage last week, and on Saturday workers dug a trench out that is full of raw sewage,” he said.
“All weekend the area of the park I live in reeked of sewage, it’s disgusting.
“I understand these things can take time but with how long they are taking to fix this sewage problem? It just indicates a lack of respect towards us.”
Richmond Wight announced plans to upgrade the park to a five-star attraction last month.
As well as a range of luxury chalets, the owners plan to install a leisure centre and clubhouse.
The company said the current upheaval was being caused by pipes being laid to serve this future scheme and it hoped to have any exposed sewage drained from the exposed tracks by tomorrow.
A spokesman said: “When you are undertaking this sort of work, occasionally you will encounter problems like this.
“It isn’t like that as a result of us not caring about permanent residents.
“Riverview is an inherited site so it is a challenge at times, but the new sewers will result in a better drainage system.”
Previously, the residents association said that prior to performing a luxury upgrade, owners should look into repairing the existing roads and street lighting – as well as clearing areas ridden with mangled caravans and their fittings.
In response, Richmond Wight said: “We are a firm that puts its money where its mouth is – as seen at Silversands in Lossiemouth which had the worst reputation of any park and was turned around by us to gain a five-star rating.”
Richmond Wight acquired Silver Sands at Covesea in Lossiemouth in 2013 and sold it on this January after a major upgrade.