On Tue, 12 Jul 2005 16:33:32 +0100, Janet Baraclough
wrote:

It shouldn't smell, if she excludes all light, mice and birds with a
closefitting lid, and a cheap drainpipe filter top to prevent
leaves/mice /birds falling down the spout from the gutter above.

I suspect a bird or mouse has got in somehow and is decomposing, The
answer is to drain, tip, rinse and refill.

That latter suggestion is exactly what my friend thinks may have
happened. The only entrance is via the pipe from the gutter which has
no filter at the top!
Thanks folks.

Pam in Bristol