A CULLINGWORTH factory is urging local residents with concerns to contact it directly to ensure a speedy solution.

HCF Poultry said it would welcome direct reports about noise and smells in addition to householders contacting Bradford Council.

Bosses have provided a direct mobile number and email address, written an article for the village newsletter, and planned a leaflet drop for houses near its Station Road premises.

HCF is currently pursuing a licence from the Environment Agency to increase production levels, and has held meetings with the Environment Agency, Bradford Council and local councillors.

Cullingworth Village Council recently heard that HCF had carried out many improvements in recent months to help it achieve the licence.

These had included resurfacing the yard and raising drainage grills to reduce noise levels from lorries. As a result, a previous noise abatement order had been lifted.

After buying a number of its own trailers, HCF now operates 80 per cent of its inbound lorries rather than contracting them out.

Councillors heard that this meant complaints about the activities of lorries or drivers had a far greater chance of being dealt with satisfactorily.

Residents were urged to record the date, time and registration numbers whenever there were problems.