Hold your noses - residents and holidaymakers are warned that the Isle of Sheppey is about to get very smelly.

Every year, farmers spread manure onto their fields after harvesting.

But this year the process has been brought forward by up to two weeks because of the exceptionally hot weather.

It means holidaymakers heading to the Island for the start of the school holidays may be in for a shock - and with the mercury hitting 30 degrees, closing those windows may not be an option.

A Swale council spokesman warned: "The recent hot weather means farmers will be harvesting some crops slightly earlier this year which means organic matter will be spread onto fields over the coming weeks."

The council is bracing itself for complaints about the muck-spreading, which this year coincides with the start of the school summer holidays and Sheppey's busiest tourism period.

The material includes sewage sludge, paper waste, compost and animal manure.

Swale council's spokesman for environment and rural affairs Cllr David Simmons said: "The use of manures and other products to replace nutrients in the soil after growing a crop is a legitimate agricultural practice regulated by the Environment Agency and local authority.

"Contractors and farmers should make sure any materials are incorporated into the soil quickly to reduce the impact but some odours may be expected from time to time."

James Attwood, whose company SW Attwood and Partners is based at New Hook Farm, Lower Road, Eastchurch, said: "We have already cut 1,200 acres of oil seed rape and are now cutting 1,600 acres of wheat. We are probably a week to 10 days ahead because of the sunshine."

He said muck-spreading had already started but it was being dug back into the soil as soon as possible to keep smells to a minimum.

To report persistent smells call the Environment Agency on 0800 807060 or Swale council on 01795 417850.