A massive leak of Mercaptan gas additive from a plant near Paris is now drifting across Southern England.

The chemical factory sprung the leak of the harmless cloud of gas yesterday.

Mercaptanis is a stenching agent that is put into domestic gas supplies to indicate that there may be a gas leak of some kind.

The French plant makes industrial lubricants and paint and said work is underway to contain the fumes , although the process could take hours or even days to complete.

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