People in Lowestoft have been reassured that a small of gas in the town centre today is not coming from a leak.Suffolk Fire Service has received several calls today about a strong smell of gas around London Road North but it is believed to be coming from gas tankers which are moored offshore.

People in Lowestoft have been reassured that a small of gas in the town centre today is not coming from a leak.

Suffolk Fire Service has received several calls today about a strong smell of gas around London Road North but it is coming from a gas tanker which is moored about eight miles offshore.

Roman Hill and Woods Loke Primary Schools and Foxburrow Middle School evacuated pupils and fire crews attended but reassured staff that there was no danger to the children.

The local government offices at Rishton House, Clapham Road South, and the Marina customer service centre were also evacuated when staff smelled gas.

A spokesman for the fire service said: 'There are currently several vessels moored off Kessingland which are used to transport gas. They are empty at the moment but are venting fumes, which do not smell very nice.

'There is no danger there, but the smell is strong. The coastguard has been in touch with the vessel and informed them to stop venting its tanks.'

She added: 'We had a call from the schools and went to make sure there was no risk to pupils and to assure them tat the smell was not coming from a gas leak.

'The vessels have been decanting gas and while they have stopped today, it does not mean that the smell will go away. It may also happen again tomorrow.

'Obviously if people think they are in danger, they should call the fire service and we will come out to investigate.'