Bottled: a hint of thunder

SCIENTISTS claim to have bottled the fresh, earthy scent that heralds a summer thunderstorm.

Researchers collected air samples after storms in Essex and New York City, before vaporising them to pinpoint the compounds responsible for the familiar fragrance.

The discovery means we could soon be splashing on a few drops of ‘petrichor’, the aroma released when heavy rains cause smelly compounds and oils to be thrown into the air.