Residents who bombarded emergency services with reports of a mystery stench have been told the likely cause was an oil spill off Spain.

Strong winds blew fumes from the stricken vessel as far as Sussex, prompting calls to police, the fire brigade and gas company officials.

Crews from Hassocks were among those alerted to what was suspected to be a paraffin spill.

But when they arrived in Pyecombe, they discovered the smell was actually fumes from the tanker Prestige, which sank off western Spain.

Station spokesman Trevor Davey said: "We were called to the village last night because residents could smell fumes and were worried there had been a spillage at the Clayton Tunnel.

"There was no sign of anything in the area but it was a very strong smell, and when we returned to Hassocks it was still quite strong.

"When we called West Sussex Control we were told the fumes had been brought over from Spain by the southerly winds."

Worried residents from across Sussex jammed switchboards.

Fire engines were dispatched to locations between Newhaven, Worthing, Hove and as far inland as Horsham in a bid to find the source of the small.

Gas companies also called out emergency teams working for maintenance contractor Transco in case there was a major leak. The Environment Agency sent its experts to beaches to investigate.

Callers said the smell was like paraffin, gas, sewage or a mass of rotting eggs.

Ian Lawes of Waldegrave Road, Brighton, was one of many residents worried about the smell.

He said last night "It is like a huge cloud of diesel oil hanging over the city. You can smell it everywhere. It is pungent and has permeated my house. You can actually taste it."