BASINGSTOKE residents have taken to social media questioning why the town has had a rather unpleasant smell in the air.

A pungent smell wafted across the town on several days last month, including on August 13 and August 31.

Residents questioned what could be causing the big stink, with various suggestions put forward.

Read more: Exclusive: Fire service gives update on major Basingstoke fire following Gazette probe

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council said it had not received any reports regarding the smell. 

However, in previous years the environmental health team at the borough council identified a bad smell during August as coming from chicken manure being spread on the fields in Oakley by farmers.

Following calls from concerned residents it offered reassurance that “this is something that happens around the same time every year as the farmers in the area fertilise their land”.

Are you a farmer in Basingstoke and Deane? Get in touch by emailing Emily.roberts@newsquest.co.uk.