Cartoons set to put pollution at heart of local election campaign

This sketch drew inspiration from Boris Johnson's remarks about cycling during a recent pollution episode. Credit: @CleanAirLondon/@DaveyCartoons

A series of cartoons poking fun at London mayor Boris Johnson are set to put pollution at the heart of next month's local election campaign.

A dozen sketches by newspaper cartoonist Andy Davey were commissioned by the anti-smog pressure group Clean Air In London.

One cartoon portrays the mayor in front of a rising graph with the speech bubble: "And this clearly shows air pollution is going down."

Another sketch drew inspiration from Boris Johnson's remarks about cycling during a recent pollution episode.

The cartoon shows a patient receiving oxygen from paramedics while the mayor says: "Enjoy the sunshine."

City Hall has refused to comment on the sketches. Credit: @CleanAirLondon/@DaveyCartoons

Clean Air London has released the series of cartoons. Credit: @CleanAirLondon/@DaveyCartoons

The mayor has been criticised by the campaign group in the posters. Credit: @CleanAirLondon/@DaveyCartoons

The mayor was criticised for his response to the high pollution levels earlier this month. Credit: @CleanAirLondon/@DaveyCartoons

The posters focused on a range of environmental themes. Credit: @CleanAirLondon/@DaveyCartoons

Boris Johnson depicted as a Tube worker in this sketch. Credit: @CleanAirLondon/@DaveyCartoons

Boris Johnson's attitude towards the EU and their environmental regulations has been attacked. Credit: @CleanAirLondon/@DaveyCartoons

The mayor seen on a 'Boris bike' in this cartoon. Credit: @CleanAirLondon/@DaveyCartoons

Simon Birkett, Director of Clean Air In London, who commissioned the cartoons said:

"Boris and London are the common themes. As a figure of fun of his own making, it's his trademark I suppose and we needed a theme.

"It's perfect because he is the leading the decision-maker about tackling this problem and it all came together really.

"It's about getting traction on 12 big air pollution issues in London.

"Everything comes together rather nicely, get discussion about air pollution and then have a nice punchline a week before the election."

A Facebook poll conducted in the run-up to the London borough elections will ask voters to choose a favourite.