Newsagent Kamal Tack is kicking up a stink over a gas leak which she says is making her ill.

The leak from valves in a gas main next to her shop was first reported seven weeks ago but it has not been solved.

Mrs Tack, who runs School Green Stores in Thornton Road, Bradford, said: "The smell is so strong and it's been like this for weeks. I never normally have headaches but I have been getting them since this started. It's not like me at all. You can't even open the door to get some fresh air in because of the smell."

Mrs Tack, 35, who lives next door to the shop with her mother and three children, said she had rung Transco, which is in charge of gas mains, almost every day.

"Every time I speak to them they seem to come up with a different reason why they can't fix it. It's very frustrating," she said.

"They say it's not dangerous because the gas that's leaking is going up in the air but I'm not happy. I'm worried that there might be an explosion.

"It's affecting my business because everybody's coming in complaining and people can't park where they normally do at the side of the shop because there is a big hole there."

Transco spokesman John O'Grady apologised for any inconvenience caused but assured residents that the leak was not dangerous.

"Everything is perfectly safe. There no danger to any people in the area either of a gas explosion or on a health issue," he said.

"There is no gas in any property. We have regularly taken gas readings with our safety meters. People will smell gas but it's a very, very small amount in the atmosphere."

He said there had been a delay in fixing the leak in the main because Transco wanted to ensure it was repaired effectively.

"The method of work which has been selected requires several days of good weather. Unfortunately we have not had a number of consecutive dry days.

"The repairs will be carried out as soon as it's practical," said Mr O'Grady.

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