Gas smell coming from northern France

A NASTY gas smell is being reported as far away as Ringwood today after a leak in a French factory.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service's control room is receiving a steady stream of calls reporting a strong gas smell in the air.

The unpleasant odour is understood to have emanated from a leak in a factory in Rouen in northern France. The Health Protection Agency has stressed the gas is non-toxic and presents no threat to the public.

The chemical released - mercaptan - is an organic compound added to natural gas, lubricants and paints. The smell is caused by the sulphur in the gas but it is completely harmless.

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