Seaford noxious odour: Mysterious smell triggers East Sussex chemical alert as people report 'stinging eyes'

A mysterious noxious smell triggered a chemical alert after residents in East Sussex complained of stinging eyes and feeling sick.

Authorities warned residents in Seaford to stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed after a noxious odour spread over the coastal town on Friday evening.

One of several people to contact Sussex Police described the smell as being "like burning plastic".

The police force said the odour was first noticed in The Ridings area at around 6pm but failed to disperse.

It comes just two months after a bizarre toxic “haze” caused discomfort to people in the Birling Gap area, around six miles along the coast.

Visitors to Birling Gap and other beaches in Sussex suffered sore eyes and breathing problems after a mystery gas was blown ashore from the English Channel on August 27.

It is believed the most likely source of the fumes was a ship illegally flushing its tanks with chemicals.

But Friday’s smell is not thought to be linked to the Birling Gap incident, authorities believe.

Police are working with other agencies, including the coastguard, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and Lewes Council, to try to determine the cause of the smell.