A recycling plant linked to a plague of flies in a neighbourhood of Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, has been shut down.

Residents of Shawhead had complained of swarms of flies coming from the nearby GBS Recycling plant.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) had been carrying out inspections at the site since receiving complaints about excess waste last year.

This week, Sepa confirmed that GBS's waste management licence had been revoked, meaning the site can no longer be used for recycling.

Local people reported thousands of flies invading their homes and swarming on their food. Some said the problem was so bad it was "like something out of a horror movie".

The company has said it will appeal the decision and insisted the fly problem was beyond its control.

A Sepa spokesman said: "Sepa has now served GBS Recycling Limited with a Notice of Revocation which removes the operator's licence for waste activities at their site in Shawhead, Coatbridge.

"Sepa is satisfied that allowing the operator to continue waste activities at the Shawhead facility would cause pollution of the environment or have a detrimental impact on the local community and its amenities."

Keirsten Smith helped to set up a Facebook group, The Catcher of the Fly, which documented residents' battles to control the flies.

More than 800 people signed up to the group, posting pictures of their battles with the flies and sharing tips on how to exterminate them.

Ms Smith said: "It's fantastic - I think Sepa found that it was indeed too close to the local residents.

"People are absolutely delighted, I had a woman who had tears in her eyes."

Local MSP, Fulton MacGregor, welcomed news of the closure but offered support to any staff who may be losing their jobs.

Mr MacGregor said: "This is a big development and the people who have suffered ongoing infestation, who have fought this issue tirelessly, will be pleased that they will now be able to live without fear of further problems.

"That said, this is a business and there may be job losses as a result and we must keep that in mind.

"I will be available to support any employee of GBS who is facing difficulties as a result of this decision.

"I know that Sepa will not have taken this decision lightly but clearly felt that there were no other options left for them to ensure that the plant and the surrounding areas remain free from infestation."

Previous inspections by Sepa had led to the site being given a final written warning to remove excess waste earlier in June.

GBS said it will appeal Sepa's decision to the Scottish Government.

Director Tavis McCabe said: "The company has operated from that site for four years without incident and, whilst the recent fly issue are regrettable, the company did all it could to limit the impact locally of something that was outwith its control.

"The licence being revoked when the site was clear and the company had taken significant steps in relation to investing in environmental controls is extremely disappointing.

"Indeed, North Lanarkshire council sent planning, environmental health and NLC pest control experts to the site on Wednesday, June 21, and they had no action to take and confirmed the company had done everything expected to deal with any issues on site.

"The company is reviewing its next steps following the outcome of the appeal."