Sevenoaks gas smell is from leak in French chemical plant

Sevenoaks residents are being asked to keep doors and windows closed due to a gas cloud that is believed to have come across from France.

It follows reports of a gas leak from a factory in the Normandy city of Rouen, 75 miles west of Paris.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it was is aware and liaising with partner agencies.

Officials have told French media that the cloud was 'not toxic'.

A statement issued by the Seine-Maritime prefecture said: "The gas has an unpleasant smell but is not toxic."

The concentration of the gas was also "very low" but the prefecture admitted that "a large number of people have been inconvenienced."

The gas reached the Paris region in the early hours of Tuesday, causing concern.

In the Seine-Maritime region around Rouen emergency services were bombarded with calls from alarmed citizens.