Pong from museum's Roman latrine makes pupils sick

Some historical models can be just too accurate. The staff at a Chester museum were mightily pleased with their faithful reconstruction of a Roman latrine, until the smell induced a bout of vomiting among visiting children.

The Deva Roman Experience had bought a specially prepared aroma, Flatulence, giving a sickly sweet smell of boiled cabbage. As two parties of visiting primary schoolchildren went down a Roman street, passing baths and villas, they were overcome by nausea as they arrived at the latrines. Four were sick on the spot.

The smell was produced by burning a liquid made by Dale Air, a Lancashire family firm. It has now been exchanged for a less noxious aroma.