NINE people were evacuated from their homes after gas was smelt leaking out of a house on a Trowbridge estate.

Police, fire and Transco officials were called to Moyle Park on the Paxcroft Mead estate at 10am on Friday to deal with the leak, coming from an empty property.

Nine people were asked to leave neighbouring homes so the gas-ridden house could be ventilated.

A Transco spokesman said the high gas readings meant the area had to be evacuated for safety reasons.

"We made the situation safe and got all of the gas out of the building and after approximately four hours everyone was allowed back into their homes," she said.

"There was the potential for a dangerous situation. Safety is paramount in situations like this.

"The member of the public who called in did exactly the right think by calling our emergency number."