Emergency response initiated after high street 'gas leak'... before engineers uncover hilarious true source of smell that distress

However, the source of the stench was discovered when a workman from the Cadent gas company entered Strongs fruit and vegetable shop and identified a "very smelly" durian fruit.

Wai Peng Cheng and his partner Candy Pooi Khan Lam said they had "no idea" what was happening as they had not called the engineer.

The workman arrived after a customer in the charity shop next door reported "a strong gassy smell".

Mr Cheng said: "When he mentioned the smell and I told him it was the durian... he didn't believe me at first.

"It was only when I took him outside and gave one to him that he realised.

"We all just started laughing. He then checked if there was any gas leak outside just to be sure, but of course there wasn't."

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Durian fruit is found mainly in Southeast Asia and is known for its strong, rotting onion smell.

It is banned in some parts of Asia from being carried inside hotels and public transport.

Mr Cheng and his partner had been on holiday in Malaysia and upon their return, the owner of the store Andrew Simpkins, asked if they could stock the fruit.

The shop received a delivery of the fruit and put it on display, but later that day, the incident occurred.

Mr Simpkins said: "I knew it smelled bad, but I didn't think it would bring the gas board out.

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

"We only bought a small box full this week, but they have flown off the shelf.

"I tried some for the first time - I was sceptical at first, but it has a pleasant aftertaste."

Head of operational delivery for the north west at Cadent, Phil Hendrick, said: "As the gas emergency response service, we attend thousands of reported smells of gas every year.

"Thankfully, most turn out not to be gas-related.

"Over the years, we've traced reported smells to a variety of sources - from factory discharges and aviation fuel, to dockside activities and, on occasion, durian fruit, which is known for its particularly strong odour."

Mr Hendrick encouraged people to "call it in if you ever smell gas," emphasising the importance of never taking chances.