Cities and towns in Calendar region fail air quality test

Millions of people living in dozens of British cities are inhaling air considered too dangerous to breathe by the World Health Organisation, a report has shown.

Out of 51 UK cities and towns listed in an air quality database, 44 fail the WHO's test for fine sooty particles smaller than 2.5 microns across that have been linked to heart disease and premature death.

Exposure to the particles, known as PM2.5s, should not exceed 10 micrograms per cubic metre of air, according to the health organisation.

But in numerous British population centres annual average levels are higher, sometimes by a significant degree, it is claimed.

Leeds like London has a PM2.5s concentration of 15 micrograms per cubic metre.

Meanwhile Hull and York both have 12, with Scunthorpe having 16.

Each year, outdoor air pollution is estimated to cause 40,000 premature deaths in the UK - up to 9,000 in London alone - and cost the country £22.6 billion.