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Pong in the air is 'Euro-whiff'

A foul smell hanging over southern England is being blamed on easterly winds bringing either farming or industrial smells across the Channel.

Labelled "Euro-whiff" by the Met Office, the source of the smell - alternately described as sulphur and manure - is under investigation.

Sarah Holland from the Met Office said it had had dozens of calls from the public looking for information.

She said the smell had been detected as far west as Devon.

"Basically, over the last few days, we've had fresh, strong winds from an easterly direction," said Miss Holland. "As a result some of our air is coming from continental Europe."

'Not-so-fresh air'

Miss Holland said while members of Met Office staff were trying to trace the exact source of the "apparent atmospheric aroma", the likely explanation was either agricultural or industrial works in western Europe.

"Normally, our winds are westerly, coming off the Atlantic Ocean, which bring little or no pollution with them."

Helen Chivers of the Met Office said the origin of the smell had been narrowed down to the area of Europe roughly bordered by Holland, Germany and Belgium.

But, she said, it was unlikely the exact source would be pinpointed.

"I don't think there's any way we will know. The air over that part of Europe has been very stagnant over the past few days, so there won't be any way of telling where it is coming from."

Mrs Chivers said the smell had been described as everything from manure to methane gas to metallic in nature.

Some of the strongest smells have been reported in Reading and Basingstoke, with other reports of a stench in East Anglia and as far north as Northampton.

Forecasters say the easterly winds, which are bringing the current cold front in addition to the bad smell, are expected to last two or three more days.

And BBC News website readers have reported a range of sulphur-like smells hanging over areas across London.

Stu Maddison of Ealing, west London, said he noticed the stench as soon as he stepped out the door this morning.

Mr Maddison said the smell was still in the air when he arrived for work in Notting Hill.

"It's a bit rude really," he said of the air. "Various colleagues thought they'd trod in something but no, it's the air."

Thames Water told the BBC the smell was not related to water or sewage works.

I haven't noticed it yet.

I blame a certain French soldier who farted in your general direction....

Crash

Basically, over the last few days, we've had fresh, strong winds from an easterly direction," said Miss Holland. "As a result some of our air is coming from continental Europe."
"Normally, our winds are westerly, coming off the Atlantic Ocean, which bring little or no pollution with them."

8-)