Villagers have endured their third summer of being plagued with flies from a nearby recycling centre.

People living in West Dereham, near Downham Market, say their homes are infested with the insects. They have taken to social media to post graphic pictures.

The Environment Agency says it has received more than 50 complaints from people living near Glazewing's plant, on Station Road.

In a letter to residents, it says: 'Glazewing stopped processing one type of waste (known as pre-incineration scrap) at the end of August to carry out routine maintenance of the plant.

'The work is taking longer than originally expected. This means that the waste that is normally processed through the plant has been stored for longer than usual on site, and some of the waste has been

Eastern Daily Press: The Environment Agency says the fly problem is under control at Glazewing's recycling centre at West Dereham. Picture: Ian BurtThe Environment Agency says the fly problem is under control at Glazewing's recycling centre at West Dereham. Picture: Ian Burt

attracting flies.'

The EA said it had visited Glazewing, which was spraying insecticide and removing waste.

It added: 'We feel that the fly situation on Glazewing's site is now under control. We would expect any impacts on the local area to reduce as a consequence.

'We visited site on Friday, October 5 and saw reduced numbers of flies compared to the previous week. We will continue to monitor the situation and Glazewing's progress with the actions detailed within their action plan.

Eastern Daily Press: Flies in a child's food Picture: SuppliedFlies in a child's food Picture: Supplied (Image: Archant)

'We will continue to investigate sources away from the site where the flies may be breeding.'

But people living around the site say their homes are still infested. Around 200 have signed a petition calling for action to be taken.

Glazewing said it had no comment beyond what was said in the EA's newsletter to residents.

Jenny Simpson, who lives near the plant, said: 'There's a huge amount of flies. Last night on our Facebook group people were putting up pictures, it's disgusting.

Eastern Daily Press: Flies in a home at West dereham Picture: SuppliedFlies in a home at West dereham Picture: Supplied (Image: Archant)

'There were flies on the side of their plates as they were eating. The EA seem to think it's under control and things have been resolved but far from it.'

Neighbour Dawn Lock posted on the village facebook group: 'So hacked off with flies, morning, noon and night. Went to put rubbish in bin at 2.30am opened door got a mouthful of flies.

'House gets smothered with flies they're especially prone to my food and drinks. The times I've taken a drink only to get a mouthful of flies doing breast stroke.

Choking and gagging same with food if you don't check you find half eaten flies all through the plate.

Eastern Daily Press: Flies in a child's cereal bowl in West Dereham Picture: SuppliedFlies in a child's cereal bowl in West Dereham Picture: Supplied (Image: Archant)

'I've found them in the fridge inside food and even frozen in the freezer. How many more years do we have to put up with this?'

Fellow villager Susan Barnett Pepper added: 'We have only been in West Dereham for three summers and this year is by far the worse, having been a chef in my own hotel and being obsessive about kitchen hygiene I am at my wits end and yet judging by some of your photos many of you are suffering far more than I. Why is this allowed to continue?'