The Government has launched a call for evidence on which public bodies should help local authorities to tackle air pollution.

Under the new approach, Air Quality Partners will be required to assist with cutting air pollution in specific areas.

Environment minister, Rebecca Pow, said: 'Local authorities are best placed to tackle certain issues at a local level, but we want to ensure they don’t shoulder the burden alone and that all relevant public bodies are pulling in the same direction to help clean up our air.

'I encourage all local authorities to provide their thoughts on which organisations we should designate under powers we are bringing in through the Environment Bill, to help reduce local pollution levels.'