Black smoke billowing from a gas plant in Fife is causing health problems for people living nearby, the NHS has warned.

ExxonMobil was forced to apologise after waste burned at the facility near Cowdenbeath caused a noxious cloud to blow over the town last month.

The US oil giant insisted there was no danger, but NHS public health consultant Dr Chris McGuigan said a "range of symptoms" have been reported.

Complaints include breathing difficulties, eye irritation and difficulty sleeping, he said.

ExxonMobil was previously handed a record £2.8m fine for emissions from the plant and environmental body Sepa is carrying out an inquiry into the latest incident.

Dr McGuigan said: "We already know of at least one instance where emission of black smoke from flaring at Mossmorran exceeded the fifteen minute limit imposed as an operating condition.

"We are pleased that Sepa has committed to a full investigation, which will look at the causes of the incident and the steps being taken to ensure it does not happen again.

"Clearly this is a distressing and worrying situation for the community and we would advise anyone experiencing symptoms that they believe may be related to the flaring to get help."

Local MSPs have urged the government to intervene and members of the Mossmorran Action Group plan to hold a meeting this week to discuss their concerns.

Ethylene is produced at Mossmorran through a process which heats ethane feedstock to temperatures of almost 900C and then cools it to -150C. Gaseous by-products are fed into the plant's furnaces, making it party self-sustaining.

Last month's incident at the plant was caused by a sudden expected disruption to the process, ExxonMobil said.