It comes as the smell scourge which has blighted the port for more than a decade returned.

A bid is being launched to drag United Utilities through the courts over the odour from its sewage works at Jameson Road.

And the man who is driving the compensation effort believes the sums involved could be enormous.

Des Sainsbury, of Wensley Avenue, Fleetwood, said: "I'm hoping for 2,000 or 3,000 people being behind this. The sort of claim we are looking at is really significant – we are talking tens of millions of pounds."

On June 16 Mr Sainsbury and four other lead claimants will meet with no-win no-fee lawyers Hugh James to assess the situation. Later there will be a public meeting for possible claimants.

Mr James has had more than 50 public responses since he began his campaign on Monday and expects numbers to grow rapidly.

Mr Sainsbury said: "About November last year I decided on a claim.

"When the good weather came and the smell stared that's when I decided to go ahead properly and get it arranged and people involved.

"The smell is intolerable.

"A lot of people say they are physically sick."

The legal claims will be unaffected by another compensation bid by Wyre councillors Margaret Birkett and Mark Hamer.

They then said they would use any compensation on a community project.

But Mr Sainsbury added: "To suggest something like a community centre is enough to compensate the town is too little too late."

A United Utilities spokesman said: "We are investing £50m at the Fleetwood plant which includes further odour-reduction procedures. We are working closely with both the Environment Agency and Wyre Council who are being kept fully informed our of plans."

Those interested in making claims can contact Mr Sainsbury by phone on 07886 689231 or at d.sainsbury1@btinternet.com.