POLICE have received a number of calls this morning from members of the public across Surrey reporting a smell of gas. Kent and Sussex Police have also received a number of calls.
It is believed the smell is emanating from a factory in Rouen, more than 60 miles west of Paris, but is no threat to public health.
A spokesman for the Health Protection Agency said the odour is similar to rotten eggs.
He added: "It is caused by a particularly smelly chemical that is added to odourless natural gas to give that its characteristic smell.
"The chemical leaked from a factory in France yesterday and has blown across the Channel overnight. It is not toxic and has also been diluted before entering the air over England, so people should be reassured it will cause no harm. It is an unpleasant odour which may cause some people to feel slightly nauseous but it will dispel naturally."
Surrey Police had received around 15 calls as of 11.30am.