Noxious odour hits coastal town as residents complain of stinging eyes and feeling sick
One of several people to contact Sussex Police described a smell 'like burning plastic'
PEOPLE in a coastal town were advised to stay indoors after reports of a noxious odour in east Sussex.
Residents of seaside town Seaford complained of stinging eyes and feeling sick on Friday evening.
Emergency services issued a warning as cops worked with other agencies, including the coastguard, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and Lewes Council, to try to determine the cause of the smell.
One of several people to contact Sussex Police described the smell as being "like burning plastic".
The force said the odour was first noticed in The Ridings area at around 6pm but failed to fade away.
Last month packed tourist hotspot Beachy Head in East Sussex was evacuated and 238 people "decontaminated" in hospital.
Hundreds more suffered from burning eyes and breathing difficulties after mystery a "chemical mist" blew in from sea.
Eastbourne District General Hospital was forced to declare a "major incident" as staff in hazmat suits and treated inside pop-up "decontamination" tents.
Beachgoers reported suffering stinging eyes, throat irritation and breathing difficulties, while some had been physically sick.
The unknown gas cloud was feared to have spread further along the south coast, with people reporting symptoms as far away as Kent and Surrey.
Police said the Seaford incident was not currently being linked to the Beachy Head incident.
It is believed the most likely source of the fumes was a ship illegally flushing its tanks with chemicals.
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