World's stinkiest fruit causes a stir in Lancashire town

The durian fruit is popular in southeast Asia

A food known for its pungent odour has recently caused lots of commotion in the town of Lytham St Annes, in Lancashire.

Residents raised concerns about a strong smell coming from the high street, which they thought could be a gas leak.

But the unusual scent the locals were whiffing turned out to be from the durian fruit on offer at a local greengrocer!

The fruit's unique aroma has been compared to smelly socks, rotting onions and even raw sewage, although some people find the smell quite pleasant.

Wai Peng Cheng, who is the store assistant at the greengrocer, told the Times newspaper: "We saw a gas engineer pull up in front of the shop at around 1pm and he went into the charity shop next door. About an hour later he tried the body care shop on the other side before coming inside.

"He said he was looking for a gas leak and that the charity shop next door had reported it after a customer told them about the strong gassy smell."

Upon further investigation they figured out the smell was coming from the durian, which is popular in southeast Asia and has been described as the world's stinkiest fruit.

Some people find the smell of durian very stinky!

Shop assistant Cheng had come across durian fruit after a holiday to Malaysia and suggested that it could be sold at the greengrocer. The owner Andrew Simpkins agreed.

"I knew it smelled bad but I didn't think it would bring the gas board out," Andrew told the Times.

"They told me there were some police officers there too."

Despite the unexpected chaos caused by the fruit, the shop owner says it has proven popular, flying off the shelves.

Have you ever tried durian? If not, would you be up for giving it a go?

Why not let us know in the comments below...