IT’S one of the biggest mysteries a Hampshire town has seen for years and experts are still no closer to solving it.

Despite extensive investigations Environment Agency officials are still unable to track down the origins of a mystery pong that has plagued Romsey for several months.

Romsey town centre manager Mark Edgerley is the latest to complain about the nasty niff and he is worried it might drive tourists away.

The smell, which has been in the air on and off since last December, is like rotten eggs at times and people across the town have complained to the Environment Agency and Test Valley Borough Council environmental health department about it.

Some people had pointed the finger at the Squabb Wood Landfill site at Shootash, but so far officials have ruled it out.

Mr Edgerley, who is employed by the town council, said: “Romsey Town Council is very concerned about the continuing odour nuisance. We are very keen to see this problem controlled and removed as soon as possible.”

Environment Agency staff have been monitoring the Viridor-owned Squabb Wood Landfill site for months but have been unable to detect any signs of the mystery smell there.

A spokesman said: “Our investigations are continuing. We along with TVBC are busy investigating the odour complaints and eliminating potential sources such as landfills, the sewage treatment plant (Greenhill) and agricultural activities in the area.”

Admitting that so far no one has been able to find out where the offensive stench is coming from, he added: “We are working with the operators of the Squabb Wood site, Viridor, who are fully cooperative.

"Our officers along with Viridor’s technical managers have carried out various inspections at the site looking in detail at the gas system and its associated infrastructure.

"To date we have found no evidence of any problems with the gas system.”

Staff and pupils at Hampshire Collegiate School, which is opposite the Squabb Wood Landfill tip, have noticed a whiff.

Borough council officials have produced record sheets so that residents can record when they get a whiff of the smell and these are available from Romsey Town Hall between 9am and 3pm weekdays only or by emailing .

People can also call the 24-hour hotline on 0800 807060 to report any issues with the mystery smell.