THAMES Water is to ‘put a lid’ on the smelliest parts of Europe’s largest sewage works at Beckton.

Work on the �60m project to bring the sweet smell of success starts in the New Year with completion by 2015.

Permanent covers will be installed over all 16 primary settlement tanks – the most odorous part of Beckton Sewage Works, a giant development the size of 10 football pitches.

Smell-control units, which scrub clean outgoing air to remove odour, will also be installed at the site.

Steve Shine, (pictured) Thames Water’s Chief Operating Officer, said the project will be making a substantial difference to local residents.

In all he revealed Thames Water have earmarked more than �350m to improve Beckton over the next five years “in order to serve the future needs of London and deliver significant environmental benefits.”

East Ham MP Stephen Timms led the praise: “Anyone who has shopped at Gallions Reach will be familiar with this odour! I am absolutely delighted that steps are being taken to tackle it.”

While Newham’s Mayor Sir Robin Wales said the council has lobbied for improvements. “It will make a big difference to their quality of life,” he added.